4-H Clubs Youth Membership Pin Identification
Information on dating various pin, awards and other items comes from 4-H Handy Books (all-in-one member book and catalog) and later, Supply Catalogs.
They were not offered in the 1927-28 Handy Book, but were offered by 1930 as official 4-H Club Pins.
Official Youth 4-H Club membership pins indicated membership. There were 4 styles:
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Design A - notes the number of years of membership.
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Design B - notes the number of years and the state - special order (discontinued by the 1956 catalog)
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Design L - without years or state.
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Design S - notes state (discontinued by the 1956 catalog)
In 3 finishes:
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Bronze (early bronze pins DID NOT have black and green enameling)
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Sterling silver (with black and green enameling)
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10k gold filled (with black and green enameling.)
In 2 sizes:
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1/2" x 1/2" pins are older
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5/8" x 5/8" pins are newer (and may not be available in Design B or Design S.)
Youth 4H Membership pins come in 2 sizes. The 1966 4-H catalog lists the size of the pin as 1/2" x 1/2". 2004 catalog states they are 5/8" x 5/8".
Also note with these 2 pins - Oregon is spelled ORE, unlike the pin example in Design B that spells OREGON.
And in multiple variations in manufacturing:
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Variations in the laurel leaf border on all four pin designs. 3 known variations: Banded Laurel, Pointed Laurel and Even Laurel
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Spelling of states vary, example OREGON or ORE.
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Different shades of green enameling
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Older pins came with "hook" catches or safety catches (up through at least 1977), later pins have butterfly catches or safety catches
2 Sterling Silver 4H pins showing different shades of green enameling.
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Older Junior Leadership pins have more "rays."