National Park Service Officer's Badge, Model 1921. Director and assistant director's were Gold-plated, while all other officers were to wear nickel-plated badges. NPSHC

Even though the 1921 regulations prescribed that the park ranger badge be the same as the 1920, the specifications sent with the contract called for it to be German silver. [12] The chief and assistant chief ranger badges were the same as the ranger, except for the gold plating.

There is also evidence that although the regulations called for the superintendent's badge to be nickel plated, at least some of them were sterling. [13]

The 1921 badges were furnished by F.J. Heiberger & Son, Inc., of Washington. D.C., but since they are unmarked the manufacturer is unknown.

In early April 1921, exception was taken to all of the officers wearing the same badge. Acting Director Arno Bertholt Cammerer considered the badge to be an emblem of authority and felt that only those in positions of command should wear them. About this time a request came in from a superintendent for badges for his clerks, per the regulations. This prompted Director Mather, on April 13 192l, to amend the new regulations to read that the only officers authorized to wear badges were superintendents, assistant superintendents, and custodians. [14]

The 1921 uniform regulations were amended on June 13, 1922, to specify that "the service badge, that had previously been issued to employees without charge. would now require a $5 deposit." [15] When the badge was lost previously, the replacement cost of eighty cents was levied. Cammerer explained the rationale for the higher deposit: "Without questioning the honesty of any individual or group of employees we have best reasons to believe that a number of badges are kept or given to friends by employees for souvenirs after paying the small amount to cover cost. These badges are issued to indicate Federal authority and every precaution must be taken to prevent them from falling into the hands of unauthorized persons." [16]

If a ranger "lost" his badge, the deposit was forfeit, and another five dollars was required before he could be issued a new one. No charge was made for replacing broken badges. If the ranger could prove to his superintendent that the badge had been lost through no negligence on his part, the superintendent had the authority to issue another without additional charge. [17]

This arrangement remained in effect until June 15, 1938, when Office Order No. 350 rescinded the five-dollar deposit requirement. It declared instead that "Each temporary ranger and/or fire guard . . . must be informed that unless the badge and collar ornaments are returned in good condition, a deduction of $5.00 will be made for each badge which may be lost."

When the regulations were being revised in 1928, it was questioned whether badges were necessary for the director and assistant director. It was decided that since these officials did not have direct command responsibility in the field, they weren't necessary, and subsequently were eliminated from the new regulations. The other badges, though, remained the same.