Editing Eagle Scout (section)

===Medal===
Since its introduction in 1912, the Eagle Scout medal has undergone several design changes. Changes to the scroll and to the eagle pendant were not always introduced at the same time, therefore types may be somewhat mixed. Scouting historians classify these medals by the five different manufacturers and then by 17 sub-types, with several minor variations.<ref name="grove"/> Many variations were caused by quality control issues, mainly due to wear of the [[Die (manufacturing)|dies]].

T. H. Foley made the first medals from 1912 until they went out of business in 1915.<ref name="BSS"/> The eagle pendant and scroll were of die struck [[bronze]] washed with [[silver]]. Early versions were made with a short double knot and later ones with a long double knot. Only 338 of these medals were issued, making them the rarest version. Some Foleys were issued with a drop ribbon: the ribbon was extended, folded through the bar mount on the scroll, then dropped behind the eagle pendant and cut in a swallowtail. The first drop ribbon style medal was issued to the fourth Eagle Scout, Sidney Clapp, a 31-year-old Scoutmaster from West Shokan, New York.<ref name="grove"/>

[[Dieges & Clust]] took over production from 1916 to 1920, basing the design on the Foley.<ref name="BSS" /> These medals also have the distinguishing extra-long double knot hanging from the scroll. There were 1,640 of this variety awarded, all made of [[sterling silver]].<ref name="boyscoutcollectibles.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.boyscoutcollectibles.com/types-of-boy-scout-collectibles/insignia-items/history-and-value-of-boy-scout-rank-patches-badges/eagle/eagle-scout-award-medals-identification-and-value-guide/|title = Eagle Scout Medals Identification and Value Guide &#124; Boy Scout Collectibles|date = September 4, 2013}}</ref>

In 1920, the Robbins Company took over production. They produced six distinct variants, all in sterling silver. The first 1920 version was similar to the Dieges & Clust design, but with smaller scroll lettering and the standard single knot. The second 1920 version has more distinctive feathering on the back side of the pendant. The engraving on the 1930 version is especially fine.<ref name="boyscoutcollectibles.com"/> In 1933, the ''BSA'' lettering was removed from all of the Eagle Scout insignia, including the medal. In 1955 the obverse of the eagle pendant was made flat so it could be engraved. ''BSA'' was added back to the front and the reverse was returned to a full feathered design in 1969.<ref name="grove"/>

Medal manufacturer Stange was authorized to begin producing Eagle Scout medals in 1968, at the same time as Robbins- they created six distinct models. The 1968 version is very similar to the Robbins version, but the bend in the scroll is much flatter, more like a sideways ''V'' as compared to the ''S'' on the Robbins scroll. The ''BSA'' was added back to the front, and the obverse was returned to a full feathered design in 1970. A major re-design of the eagle pendant was made in 1974 to match the new [[National Eagle Scout Association]] logo. In 1978, Robbins ceased manufacturing Eagle Scout medals and Stange switched to the last design used by Robbins. Minor differences are in the white edged ribbon and the sterling silver markings. In 1980 the price of silver rose dramatically and the medal was changed to silver-plated, die-struck copper. Very early versions were silver-plated and oxidized, thus the scroll and pendant are black. Later versions were oxidized, buffed and lacquered to maintain the silver shine. Sterling silver medals were produced from the same dies and from this time were only available on special order. The year 1993 saw a number of changes. The clasp on the scroll was changed from the pin on type to a double clutch back. The pendant was changed to [[pewter]] and enlarged due to the lighter rigidity of the material.<ref name="grove"/>

Custom Fine Jewelry (CFJ) took over the contract in 1999 and has currently created three types. The initial versions were based on the last Stange version but with the ribbon attached through the clutch pins instead of a bar (this led to damage of the ribbon). A small number of sterling silver versions were made, marked with ''925''. In later 1999, the dies were laser engraved, giving a much sharper look and the ribbon mount was improved to eliminate wear. The knot went from wire to a molded version in 2001.<ref name="grove"/>

In the fall of 2006, the national supply division of the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) began to issue replica Eagle Scout medals for specific wear on U.S. military dress uniforms. These medals were designed to be proportionate to other military medals: they contained the same pendant, but no scroll, and a ribbon that had been made thinner and more rectangular in shape. However, in December 2007, NESA stopped selling the mini-medal after service uniforming committees contacted the BSA and asked them to stop promoting the medal for wear on military dress uniforms. The Eagle Scout medal is not authorized for wear on any U.S. military uniform.<ref name=Eagletter/>

In 2025, to coincide with the organization’s name change, the ''BSA'' lettering on the lower portion of the medal was removed. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=February 5, 2025 |title=Scouting America Eagle Scout Award Kit with Antique Finish |url=https://www.scoutshop.org/scouting-america-eagle-scout-award-kit-with-antique-finish-663899.html |website=scoutshop.org}}</ref>