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National Society of Scabbard and Blade Records

 Collection
Identifier: 2013-020

Scope and Contents

Collection contains papers, ephemerae and mixed media from the National Society of Scabbard and Blade’s headquarters in Stillwater, Ok. Also included are the initiation and the directory cards, constitutions, as well as Scabbard and Blade Journals. The papers include organization information, financial and inventory reports, correspondence, surveys, convention proceedings, meeting minutes, bulletins & newsletters, and company records. The ephemerae includes patches, ribbons, plaques, and rubber stamps.

Dates

  • 1904-ongoing

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the Oklahoma Open Records Act (http://www.odl.state.ok.us/lawinfo/docs/2006-LibraryLaws-PartE.pdf), and other relevant regulations. Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Oklahoma State University Libraries assumes no responsibility.

Conditions Governing Use

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, Special Collections and University Archives will provide information about copyright owners and related information. Securing permission to publish or use material is the responsibility of the researcher. Note that unless specifically transferred to Oklahoma State University Libraries, any applicable copyrights may be held by another individual or entity. Copyright for material published by Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College/Oklahoma State University is held by the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges. All rights reserved.

Further information about copyright policy can be obtained by contacting Special Collections and University Archives by email at libscua@okstate.edu or by phone at 405-744-6311.

Finding aid © 2020 Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges. All rights reserved.

Copyright is maintained by the National Society of Scabbard and Blade.

Administrative History

Scabbard and Blade is a national military honor society founded by five filed officers at the University of Wisconsin. They organized in 1904-1905 what is now known as A Company, First Regiment. These five men were Charles A. Taylor, Victor R. Griggs, Albert W. Foster, Harold K. Weld, and Leo Marshall Cook. From the wisdom of these five founders came the establishment of this lasting Society which is recognized locally, state wide and nationally as an organization of high prestige and ideals. The growth of the Society has been steady in the number of members and companies. (Listing of regiments and companies can be found in pledge manual.)

The first National Convention was held on May11, 1906, at Madison, Wisconsin. Conventions here held annually until April 1916, after which no convention was held until February 1920. This inactivity was due to World War I. Following February, 1920, conventions were held bi-annually until 1940 when again war interrupted. In November 1947, after seventy companies had been reactivated, a convention was called.

Scabbard and Blade Endowment Resources Foundation (SABER) is a non-profit organization which seeks gifts and endorsements for the purpose of supporting the principles of ROTC.

Several support organizations on campus offered women the opportunity to serve their country. The auxiliaries were honoraries as well and members had to show scholarship and commitment before being accepted. These were Guidon, Blades, The National Organization of L’Esprit de Corps, founded in 1971, is a women’s auxiliary group affiliated with Scabbard and Blade, and Pershing rifles.

Scabbard and Blade also publishes its own national news magazine called “The Scabbard and Blade Journal”

Sources: National Society of Scabbard and Blade. A Brief History and Pledge Manual of the National Society of Scabbard and Blade, Stillwater, OK (?): National Society of Scabbard and Blade, 1968. Print.

Extent

156 Linear feet (35 record storage boxes, 2 ½ document box, 2 document case, 1 ½ document case, 1 book box, 1 storage box, 160 card file/Hollinger shoe boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Arranged into six series.

Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog or contact the Special Collections and University Archives Reference staff.

Provenance

Gift of Douglas O. Dollar, National Commander of the National Society of Scabbard and Blade, March 2013.

Deaccessioned Material

Vol. 1, 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-10, 11, 12, 13, 14-15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29-32, 33-36, 39-42, 43-46 of the Scabbard and Blade Journal were destroyed due to mold and mildew damage.

Processing Information

Processed by Zach Daughtrey, November 2013-April 2014; Suzee Price, April 2014 - November 2015
Title
National Society of Scabbard & Blade Records Collection Number 2013-020
Status
Completed
Author
Suzee Price
Date
November 2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Oklahoma State University Archives Repository

Contact:
204 Edmon Low Library
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater 74078-1071 USA