At the 1929 superintendents' conference, it was decided to design a new ranger badge. This task was assigned to Chief Architect Thomas C. Vint of the Landscape Division. A number of designs were submitted, but none of them met the approval of the Washington office. It was thought that it would be advantageous to have a number on the face of the badge, but with all the information that was required by the department, this did not lend itself to a pleasing image. Horace Albright suggested that the committee consider using the departmental buffalo. Even though a drawing was made to this effect, it apparently died from lack of interest.

Because a new badge design could not be agreed upon when new badges were purchased in June 1930, the current design was retained. They remained flat with a clasp on the back, but since a change was being considered, the badges were now stamped in one piece instead of two, probably as a cost-cutting measure. Regulations called for them to be numbered, but the wording is somewhat ambiguous. Unlike the later fire guard badges, which were to be consecutively numbered, it is not clear whether they were to be numbered at the factory, at Service headquarters before issue to the field, or in the parks. There are several specimens in the NPS collection, two of which have numbers crudely engraved on their backs, the others being blank. There are other examples in private collections displaying this same feature. From these it may be assumed that the numbering was to take place in the field. Ranger naturalists were now authorized to wear this badge also.

Designs for new badges were periodically drawn up, but none of these were satisfactory. Finally, at the Twelfth National Park Conference held at Hot Springs National Park in April 1932, the uniform regulations committee recommended that "there be no change in the design for the Rangers. [18] Consequently, the 1930 badges, along with any 1920 or 1921 badges still in good repair, continued in use until 1936, and possibly until a new badge was designed and issued in 1946.

Separate badges were authorized for the fire guards in the 1932 uniform regulations. These badges were in the shape of a shield (different from the ranger shield) and made of bronze. They were to be consecutively numbered for controllability. Until that time, fire guards were issued standard park ranger badges whenever the need arose.

At some point it was decided to nickel-plate the German-silver badges, undoubtably to keep them bright and shiny since the base metal had a tendency to become dull.

Sometime in 1935 or early 1936, the subject of the superintendent's badge arose. There is a dearth of correspondence from this period, which makes it difficult to substantiate, but there was probably the usual request for input from the field. There is at least one drawing of a proposed superintendent's badge from this period.

On April 13, 1936, Office Order No. 324 reinstated the small round gold-plated badge for use by superintendents and custodians. This badge had formerly been used by the directors but had been idle since 1928. The assistant superintendents still retained the nickel-plated round badge.

Proposed(?) 1936 Superintendent's Badge. The origin of this sketch is not known, but since it is dated 1936, the year the superintendent's badge was changed, it was probably submitted for consideration as a possible candidate for the new badge. NPSA/HFC RG Y55

U.S. Park Guard Badge, 1936. NPSHC/HFC

In addition, a new badge was authorized for the park guards. It was the same as the one assigned to rangers but the word "GUARD" was at the top in place of "RANGER". Park Naturalists could be issued ranger badges now when they were required to enforce Park regulations.

Also that year it appears that the ranger badges began to be curved, or dapped to use the period vernacular. It is not known if this was at the instigation of the Service or the badge manufacturer. There is no reference to this feature in either the official correspondence or the uniform regulations (as in the 1946 uniform regulations) but it is amply demonstrated by extant examples documented to have been worn by rangers during that period. The curving of the badge caused it to lay closer to the uniform, thus making a more pleasing appearance. The design and nickel plating of these badges remained the same as the Model 1930.

For the first time the location of the badge was stipulated. The regulation specified that "Superintendents, Custodians, rangers, and fire guards shall wear thier(sic) badges on thier(sic) uniforms at all times,(sic) The badge shall be worn over the left pleat of the left breast pocket,(sic) Immediately below the button on coats and fatigue jackets,(sic) It shall be worn displayed on approximately the same position on field shirts and overcoats."