Winged Thistle (Etched Brass)

Whether coincidental with the expansion of the shop and the framebuilding side in the late 40's, the following two examples are generally found on Scot's from around 1949 and until approximately 1952. By far the most detailed badge and the only one to have "Flying Scot" on it, the brass badge is also worded "designed and built by David Rattray & Co. Ltd.". More often than not this badge is found either missing the paint or in a polished condition, though the original badge was coloured red, black, lilac & green as seen here. Two versions of the badge were used.

Flags (pressed light metal)

As in the previous example, this badge was used in two version. In both cases, where it was not possible to fit the full height badge between the head tube lugs, i.e. on the smaller frame sizes, a portion of the badge was cut off to make it fit . This particular badge appears to have followed on the back of the introduction of the brass badge and is the only variant not to use a thistle somewhere in the design. Though one example dates from a 1949 machine, most appear on Scot's built around 1952/53.

Thistle (pressed light metal)

Although one original example from 1948 exists, from about 1954 onwards, all Scot's appear to have been fitted with this badge, and it is by far the most common, lasting until the end of the company in the 1980's. Although there were changes in the manufacture of the badge, the design and wording remained the same throughout.

A Few Words of Caution ! Restorations, refinishing, replacement and repairs over a space of nearly sixty years in the life of the company and since, have ensured that there are a lot of Scot's going about with badges other than the above, or badges that were not originally fitted at that time. Rattray's themselves refinished there own machines for their customers, and inevitably whatever badge was then 'current' was often fitted. In addition, in recent years, the thistle badge shown above, was used on machines built after the company ceased to exist and until the last of the stock was exhausted, and for few years now these have been all but unobtainable.

In some instances you will find Scot's fitted with seat tube transfers on the head tube in lieu of the correct badge. This may well be original and correct, as customers could choose not to have the metal badges fitted and a transfer used instead.