PINS AND MEDALS

1) Pin measures 69mm high
(not counting the knot) by 48mm
wide.
2) Clasp is thinner on the bottom
then gets wider at the top.
(different clasp mountings exist)
3) Pin is bent where it attaches
to hinge and acts like a spring.
4) Wire knot is made of double
thick wire.

Clues:
1) Pin measures 67mm high
(not counting the knot) by 46mm
wide.
2) Clasp is same size on the bottom
as on the top.
3) Pin is not bent where it attaches
to hinge and does not acts like a spring.
4) Wire knot is made of single
thick wire.

These pins were created by making
a rubber mold from a real pin. Other
than being slightly smaller (due to
shrinkage), and having the wrong type
of pin, clasp and knot, the details are
real good. Fake pins exist in both gold
and in silver.

1) Made of a very hard silver color metal
2) Back of medal is very smooth
3) Letters on the back of the medal are very sharp 

Clues:
1) Made of a very soft silver color metal. You can
      easily put a small gouge in it  with a needle.
2) Back of medal is shows air bubbles from the
       reproduction process.
3) Letters on the back of the medal are not very
       sharp 

(NOTE: Silver First Class Fakes are known to exist with and with out the T. H. Foley hallmarks)

1) Stars are pointing up
2) Back of pin is indented and says "PAT 1911  B. S of A."
3) Vertical pin (or screw post back)

Clues:
1) Stars are pointing down 
2) Back of pin is flat
3) Horizontal pin

1) Stars are pointing up
2) Back of pin is indented and says "PAT 1911  B. S of A."
3) Vertical pin (or screw post back)

Clues:
1) Stars are pointing down 
2) Back of pin is flat
3) Horizontal pin

1) Details on front of medal are VERY sharp.
3) Medal is marked Sterling

1) Details on front of medal are NOT very sharp.
2) Medal is NOT sterling

1) Back of the compass is flat.
2) Eagle is welded to compass
3) Medal is Sterling

(note different Sterling hallmarks exist)

Clues:
1) Back of the compass is concave.
2) Eagle is attached to compass with 3 rivets.
3) Medal is NOT sterling

The most critical thing about a real type-1 Silver Beaver is the unique Tenderfoot Pin. It has two metal prongs on back and was only used for this medal. Without it, you do not have a real type-1. 

Clues:
1) Wrong Beaver.
2) Tenderfoot pin has a post with a clutch back.

Between 1911  and 1922, the BSA awarded "Maltese Cross" style Honor Medals. They came in Bronze on a red ribbon (risk involved), Silver on a blue ribbon (considerable risk) and Gold on a white ribbon (greatest possible risk).

They were made by both T. H. Foley and also Dieges & Clust. Medals are known to exist with no lettering, on the cross and also stamped lettering & raised lettering.

The 7 in my personal collection, along with a dozen or so that I have seen all have a similar cross design. 

On the T. H. Foley ones, two holes are drilled into the scroll to attach the chain. The Dieges & Clust ones have two small eyelets on the bottom of the scroll to attach the chain.

Clues:
1) Wrong cross - much smaller gap between the
        4 sections of the cross.

2) Ribbon has a wider ribbon pattern.

3) I am also guessing there is no manufacture marking 
       on the back of the scroll

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It is my belief that someone took an military cross, attached a Tenderfoot pin to it and mounted it on 
an Eagle medal scroll. 

1) Has "Be Prepared" Scroll under Eagle
2) Pin has a spin wheel - locking clasp
3) Some variations have BSA on the Eagle's Chest, others do not .
4) The first variety is enameled Blue - White  - Red (from left to right)

Clues:
1) No "Be Prepared" Scroll under Eagle.
2) Pin has a post with a clutch back.
3) Has vendors name on back

(1)

(5)

  (2)

(4)

(3)

(6)

MODIFIED INSIGNIA

Modified Insignia exists when someone takes a National issued pin, charm, medal or fob and changes it. Sometimes this is done by a Troop or District to create a special award. Other times it is done by private individuals, just to make you think it is something rare or unique. Even though some of the parts are official, the combined piece is just a composite and is really nothing special.

1) Eagle key chain fob added to a red / white / blue neck ribbon.

2) Eagle charm added to a small ribbon.

3) Sea Scout hat pin with the post removed and added to a ribbon.

4) Large Tenderfoot pin created by cutting the scroll off a 1 1/2 inch First Class pin.

5) NESA key chain fob added to a red / white / blue neck ribbon.

6) OA key chain fob added to a red  neck ribbon.