The Ideal Scout

[TAHAWK]

Check out the butt of the axe carried by "The Ideal Scout."  The story is that the sculptor was told to be sure it had a "fawn's foot."  

 

 

 

[forrest747]

Dr. McKenzie made the presentation address at the unveiling of the life size statue in front of Philadelphia Council headquarters, June 12, 1937, and related some of the early developments of the statue. The following is an excerpt from his remarks:

As the model was being completed, the Scout Executive, Horace P. Kern, observed that the axe handle was not quite in accord with the Scout axe and Dr. McKenzie scraped off some of the clay to adjust the shape of the handle. In doing so, he finished with a ball of clay. He used it to create a deer's hoof at the end of the axe handle, to copy a decoration on a Canadian Guide's axe he had seen. When told that it was not official, he called it artist's privilege.

(Source:  http://scouters.us/TheBoyScout.html)

[MattR]

And thus started the long history of not quite following the regulations😁. Great story, though. Thanks for sharing.