Comment section
There are two types of comments for each entry on this page.
The first comment is a bit of history, or some other interesting tidbit about the patch, provided by lodge historian Mark Guyton. These comments are not available elsewhere on the web.
The second comment is included in [brackets], and is the comment
provided in the catalog for that Watonala patch..
The Comments sections includes all sorts of information that may be pertinent to describing and identifying the insignia. This section is not meant to fully and completely describe each listing, but is only meant to give enough information to identify and differentiate any particular listing from the others.
What follows are various terms and abbreviations that will be found in the comments section and in collectors’ jargon.
75th = Issued to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Order of the Arrow in 1990
A.L. = Arrow left. When viewed from the front, the arrow points to the left of the patch (which would be the wearer’s right)
ANN = Lodge anniversary. If the anniversary is shown in parenthesis, that means the patch was issued to commemorate an anniversary but it is not notated as such on the patch. Example: (25th ANN)
A.R. = Arrow right. When viewed from the front, the arrow points to the right of the patch (which would be the wearer’s left)
Beading = A thin embroidered border around any design element of a patch
BIC = Bicentennial. Issued to commemorate America’s Bicentennial in 1976
BMT = Base material. Base material is the twill material that a embroidered patch is made on. Often times the color of the base material is visible on the edge of a cut edge (C/E) patch and this can determine the difference between varieties.
BRO = Issued for brotherhood members
C/E = Cut edge (see Border Types, above)
CB = Cloth back. This is the type of backing that a patch has when it does not have a plastic back (PB)
CD = Computer design stitch. This is a thin, flat style of embroidery generated by a computer that has become popular since 1989
Composition = A material that looks like felt, but it is not. It is actually flocked canvas
Creslon = A type of backing that looks like thin white felt
CSP = Council shoulder patch. Used here to describe the distinctive should patch shape sometimes seen in OA patches
DIA = Diamond shaped patch. Patches in this category are typically square patches that are rotated 45 degrees. Sometimes they are an elongated version of this shape
DIAG = Diagonally stitched embroidery. When the patch is viewed from the front, the direction of the embroidery is at an angle to the horizon
DJ = Diamond Jubilee. Issued to celebrate Scouting’s 75th anniversary in 1985
ELG = Elangomat
EMB = Embroidered
FDL = Fleur-de-lis proprietary symbol. A Fleur-de-lis (or French Scout sign) is characterized by the way it is embroidered or drawn. The FDL has the sides separate from the body of the symbol. Often times, the FDL has a cross bar in its midsection. When embroidered, the FDL has multidirectional embroidery (see also SS)
Felt = Made of felt, either 100% wool or a wool blend
FF = Listed in “First Flaps” by Morley, Topkis and Gould, 1992
FR/E = Flat rolled edge which is characterized by its flat appearance and the visibility of the back lockstitch from the front
GER = Geer shaped flap. The Geer Company was a major patch manufacturer during the 1950's and 1960's. During that time, they made hundreds of flaps including many first flaps and cut edge F’s that were all of a distinctive shape exclusive to the Geer Co.
HEX = Hexagon shaped patch
HMVE = Hand made variations exist. Chenilles and some other types of insignia are made individually as opposed to being loomed in quantity as are CD and Swiss patches. Such patches are prone to HMVE
HOR = Horizontally stitched embroidery. When viewed from the front, the embroidery is stiched side to side in a direction parallel to the horizon
JAM = Lodge delegation to a Jamboree. Typically listed with the year of the Jamboree (e.g. JAM81)
LB = Lion Brothers shaped flap. Lion Brothers has been a major patch manufacturer since the 1950's. During this time they have made hundreds of rolled edge flaps including many first flaps that were all of a distinctive shape. This company is well known for its quality embroidery which is characterized by very thick, multidirectional stitching that often has more stitches per inch than other companies. Prior to 1985, Lion Brothers patches could also be distinguished by their white backs. The Lion Brother’s flap shape was also widely copied by other embroidery companies
MTZ = Moritz shaped flap. The Moritz Company was a major patch manufacturer during the 1950's and 1960's. During that time they made hundreds of rolled edge flaps including many first flaps that were all of a distinctive shape exclusive to the Moritz Co. This company’s flaps typically were made with flat rolled edges (FR/E)
MVE = Minor variations exist. This notation is commonly used when patches are very slightly different, but the difference cannot be described. For example, similar patches that are slightly different sizes will be given the MVE notation.
NOAC = Lodge delegation to a National Order of the Arrow Conference. Typically listed with the year of the NOAC (e.g.NOAC63)
NT = No twill. Actually, NT is a gabardine twill that does not have diagonal or directional rows passing through it when view from the front. No twill material has also been called reverse twill and linen (see also TL and TR)
OCT = Octagon shaped patch
ORD = Issued for Ordeal members
PB = Plastic back. A plastic coating on the back of a patch (see also CB)
PEN = Pentagon shaped patch
QC = Quarter circle shaped patch usually for neckerchiefs. A patch of this shape will typically be triangular with two straight sides connected by a curved side.
R/E = Rolled Edge. The predominant edging style since 1965.
REC = Rectangular shaped patch
Sateen = Made of a shiny satin-like material
SPC = Standard Pennant Company. This company has been making chenilles and felts since the 1930's. Patches made by SPC can be identified by the different labels on their backs.
SQU = Square-shaped patches
SS = Scout sign proprietary symbol. A Scout sign is characterized by the way it is embroidered or drawn. The SS is typically embroidered in a single direction, most often vertically. (See also FDL)
SSC = Silk screen design. Many neckerchiefs and felt patches are silk screened.
Stencil = A primitive type of printing seen on some old neckerchiefs and patches. Stenciled insignia may show the “SSC” notation with additional stenciled comment.
Step stitch = A cost-saving embroidery method simulating the appearance of solid embroidery. The background is really about 50% embroidered, but is closely matches to the color of the backing twill.
SWISS = Swiss embroidery. This is a thick type of embroidery that was popular from the 1880's through the 1980's. Swiss embroidered patches are constructed on a large loom, typically 100 or more at a time.
Tags = These are the single threads that connect letters to each other or to the border. Tags may also connect different design elements to themselves or to each other. Often times, different tagging patterns help differentiate varieties of an issue.
TL = Twill left. Twill is a gabardine material that often has a grain or rows. When viewed from the front, the rows of twill left appear to go up diagonally to the left.
TLR = A twill left that has coarse rows
TLM = A twill left that has medium rows
TLS = A twill left that has fine rows
TR = Twill right. Twill is a gabardine material that often has a grain or rows. When viewed from the front, the rows of twill right appear to go up diagonally to the right.
TRR = A twill right that has coarse rows
TRM = A twill right that has medium rows
TRS = A twill right that has fine rows
TRI = Triangle-shaped patch
TVE = Twill varieties exist
VER = Vertically stitched embroidery. When viewed from the front, the embroidery is stitched up and down in a direction perpendicular to the horizon.
VIG = Issued for Vigil members
(WAB) = Listed, but not pictured, in the “Wabiningo Emblem Handbook”
WWW = Three W’s. Wimachtendink, etc.
This information was compiled by Scott Dillard, and is a reprint from the OA Images website, http://www.oaimages.com/bbabbrev.shtml