1938 Cotton Bowl pin, Colorado Buffaloes
 

Hi all,

Wanted to ask about a CU pinback commemorating the 1937 team that went to the Cotton Bowl. I haven't seen any other similar pins other than a 1940 CU band day pin by the same manufacturer. According to my research, the company that produced this pin was the Colorado Badge and Novelty Co., they produced pins from the early 1900s until the 1940s. This would be significant as this was Colorado's first bowl team and vaulted Colorado onto the national stage of "big time" college football durning a time when bowl games were a pretty new concept as there were only five at that time. How scarce a pin would this be? Thanks and SKO BUFFS!

I wonder what “SUTAK” signifies?

Not sure, I was curious too. I looked it up attached with "cotton bowl," "Colorado" and "pinback" but nothing came up?

I hate to say it, but I don’t like the “look” of that pin. Even without the shiny back, the pin just doesn’t look right to me. Hopefully, Al and others will chime in with opinions.

I don't think there are issues with the authenticity, I don't think it was worn/used all that much. It would be an odd choice to fake considering the Buffs didn't even win the '38 Cotton Bowl Classic. I'm curious to see what others think too!

Here are some better images of the pinback

Would you be able to refer me to Al? I've discussed the pin with Ted Hake and he hasn't really seen too many bowl game pins and only recalls seeing only one of these before.

For reference I've found other buttons by the same maker

1. 1939 Denver University Football pins

Still seeking any and all help!

Even though it’s referred to as “CU” isn’t it University of Colorado, not Colorado U? Maybe it was different in 1938...

I think it was just the times. The ammount of space would have made it awkward to put U of Colo and they could have just put Colorado vs Rice but Colorado State was Colorado A&M at the time and there was Colorado College also so it may have confused some people, although I don't think that's too likley as their is a Buffalo on the pin as well. My thoughts are that it was just different in 1938, I think I've seen other instances where we were called Colorado University around that time and earlier. if you take the first two letters with the name being Colorado University it would allow for the CU moniker to make sense.

I think it’s good. There would be absolutely no money in reprinting a Colorado cotton bowl pin from then. I have at least 100 old college bowl pins like this from the 40’s and 50’s. They don’t have a paper label insert, but obviously you were able to match it with a similar pinbacks.

What is the size?

1 3/4 inches. That’s encouraging! Thanks for letting me know!

That is the common size for 40’s / 50’s and newer. Older ones were generally smaller, but not all. I don’t think you’re going to get many other comments as people may be afraid to comment one way or another. The paper label looks like it’s been removed at one time which causes me to hesitate, but who’s going to make a fake Co Buffs pinback for the cotton bowl.