Boy Scout-like Shirt with Adirondack 357 YF1

Frank Kern recently posted a request for information on Patch-L regarding a shirt he had acquired.

357 YF1 Embroidered Shirt

Embrodered Shirt Sleeve

While it may not be apparent in the scans, what makes this shirt unique, is that these were not patches sewn to a shirt, but direct embroidery.

I recently traded for a very interesting scout uniform with the 357 YF1. If

you are not familiar with this item, it is essentially the 357 F1 directly

embroidered into the uniform pocket flap. In addition to this badge, several

others are directly embroidered to the uniform including: Camp Portaferry,

Can-AM-Oree 1946, Jubilee Camporee BSA 50th Ann, Copenhagen RW community-strip, N.Y. RW state strip, etc.

I had seen several samples of this shirt (or the same shirt owned by several different people) over the years, but never had the full story before. Over the next few hours, information trickled in on Patch-L from several posters. I reproduce it here so it is recorded for anyone looking for the same information in the future.

Dave Britton quickly replied:

These shirts were manufactured by Cambridge Dry Goods, a womens sporting goods manufacturer located in Norwood, MA. You may have a neck label that says this. I originally purchased mine (long since sold on auction) sometime in the early 1980’s in one of what then was considered a preppy-type clothing store. Where they maker came up with the idea is anyones guess.

Tracey Mesler wondered:

China Marines (U.S. Marines stationed in China) prior to WWII took advantage of inexpensive but quality labor in the Orient and since promotions came about once every 3-6 years, had their badges or rank, ec., sewn directly onto the uniform rather than sew patches on which might become frayed, torn, loose, etc.

Don Tuttle replied:

Its a long stretch from pre-war China Marines having their rank badges directly embroidered on their uniforms to a 1980s woman’s clothing outfitter’s campy (sorry!) Scout uniform. I first came across this novelty item when I bought at a upstate NY traderee an obviously fake 1960 National Jamboree badge directly sewn on a square of tan cloth. The dealer told me he had chopped up a old ‘Jamboree shirt’ to sell out the patches; he still had the Camp Portaferry patch on his table.
By themselves, the patches and insignia are obvious fakes. The shirt was not official BSA and only simulated the look and color of a well-worn 1960’s Scout shirt. Do we class this item as a spoof/copy intended to deceive? I think not.
I’ve always been interested in the back story of this item. Thanks, Dave, for giving us the Cambridge Dry Goods label and manufacturer in Norwood, MA. Has anyone researched this further?

I think I have seen a Army-style shirt done up with direct-embroidered patches, perhaps by the same manufacturer?

Dave Scocca posted:

The point is, I believe, it was not done by a Scouter. It was done by a women’s clothing manufacturer who wanted a design that looked like a Scout shirt.
Another manufacturer–“Lucky Brands”–made shirts with actual sewn-on patches, some of which were similar to real Scout patches in the designs and inscriptions.
My Broad Creek Winter Camper patch page at:
<http://www.tegularius.org/patches/wintergallery.html>
shows a couple of the “Lucky Brand” fakes which happened to say “Broad Creek Winter Camper”… most of the other patches on the shirt had inscriptions which did not reflect any real patches.
I have photos of a couple of the shirts at:
<http://www.tegularius.org/patches/temp/greenshirt.jpg>
<http://www.tegularius.org/patches/temp/redshirt.jpg>

Frank Kern ended the thread with the following:

I received an off-line reply from a long time collector located near

Copenhagen, NY. Here’s an excerpt from that message:
“We believe these are of Asian manufacture and were originated by Russell

Forbes a 1960’s ADE from Jefferson Lewis Council who eventually moved to

Thailand and died there around 2000.”
Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to uncover any other relevant information

or documentation on this item. It is possible that the shirt was made for

women ‘style’ wear – the Cambridge Dry Goods Company does make women’s wear.

However, it is also possible that the company was contracted by this ADE to

make the shirts for local Scouters. There is no data to say which opinion

(if either) is correct. The sad truth is that we cannot say what it is at

this time… so I have to praise our Blue Book editors for listing it as a Y

issue. Regardless, it is a way cool item!

That’s the story to date; anyone have more information?

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Author: nyoatrader
To share information about new or newly discovered Order of the Arrows patches, flaps, odd-shapes, neckerchiefs, event and chapter issues from New York State Order of the Arrow Lodges, warnings about fakes, spoof, and reproductions and any other information that may be of interest to New York State OA Collectors.

7 thoughts on “Boy Scout-like Shirt with Adirondack 357 YF1

  1. Having researched the history of Camp Portaferry extensively, I concur with the individual who provided the Russell Forbes mention. Russ was a member of Troop 60, Copenhagen, NY and is shown in the 1960 staff photo for Camp Portaferry. What is known, he would have been active duirng the time frame the copied patches were issued and would have opportunity to earn them himself. More about Russell Forbes may be viewed through the archive section of our local paper Watertown Daily Times.

    http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/

    I believe these origin/motive for these shirts will remain questionable.

    -Ray

  2. By the way-

    Troop 60, Copenhagen, NY was the troop of my youth. Boasting membership of 5-8 Scouts (at that time). In that small rural town where K-12 school enrollment hovered around 450 (my graduating class boasted 39 students), I could not wait each week to travel the 13 miles to attend Scout meetings…good times!

    -Ray

  3. Ray,

    I remember walking a full 1 1/2 blocks to my troop meeting, why that nearly 0.07 miles and coming home it was uphill for nearly a full block. 🙂

    Bill

  4. Looking at the shirt, the way the buttons are laid out, it appears to be made for males vice females…The buttons are on the right side, as you wear the shirt instead of the left side, where you would normally find the buttons on a female shirt….could this be a clue? I think I watch too much CSI.

  5. OOPS…My goof…I looked at the picture again and saw that the buttons were set for female vs. male….When is my next appointment with the Optometrist?

  6. i sold this shirt on ebay the buyer is balking , after he bid, because he claims its a fake shirt. i think fake shirts are very rare and valuable

  7. It is certainly a private issue but would have some value to collectors from that lodge.

    To me personally, it would be a novelty item.

    Not sure how many exist ‘in the wild,’ I’ve seen it listed several times on eBay over the years

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