Any Hillerich and Bradsby Bat Experts? 1910's H&B Decal Bat UPDATED WITH PICS
 

Anyone in here an expert on these? I have a decal bat; 90% of decal missing. However enough there to determine the player. I believe some of these bats were actually game used. How do I determine if mine was? The barrel is:

Louisville Slugger
Made By
JF Hillerich and Son Co.

Hey Brendan

Photos would help, and the bat's length is important as well.

For sure. And I will when I get home. I was just wondering if there were any defining characteristics in the markings/barrel/label etc. that separated store and game used (for decal bats). I believe that "MADE BY" above "JF HILLERICH AND SON CO." means that it is a possible gamer. Or no? Size is 34" 38oz, 1911-1916 labeling period. Thanks!

decal
 

It's my impression that retail, decal models usually came in a variety of lengths. I found this advert over at the Keyman's Collectibles site. Can't wait for you to tell us whose bat it is!

Bottom left haha. However the center brand doesn't have 40FB. It has MADE BY. I'm trying to do some research and I beleive that 40FB was retail and MADE BY was pro model. But I haven't quite figured it out yet!

Bump. Anyone that can help? I'll post pics later today...

I have a Nap Lajoie "Made By" example that Mears has graded "A8". The LOA references it as a game used model, and I have seen this on numerous other examples. The LOA also focuses largely on the "hand turned" aspect of the bat.

Another defining feature I have noticed is that the wood is of ultimate highest quality. Very tight grain and a smooth surface that's almost more like marble than 100 year old wood. I have other store model decal bats (Wagner, Jackson, Cobb, Gowdy) that are much more typical in terms of the wood quality.

Hope this is helpful.

Thanks Mark! So MADE BY doesn't necessarily mean that it was a player model bat? Is that correct? And thus, MADE BY could have been both retail and/or game model? Did I read your post correctly? Thanks again man!

I have 2 Lajoie bats and the wood grain is really beautiful on both bats. I also have a Frank Baker bat and the wood is not as nice as the Lajoies. I will post pictures tonight.

Crap, sorry if I was not clear on that...

"Made By" indicates a PROFESSIONAL MODEL Bat.

The Player's initials within the centerbrand indicates a STORE MODEL Bat.

Of course there may be a few exceptions, but this is the general rule of thumb. My LaJoie is the only one I have with "Made By" in the centerbrand. The others (Wagner, Cobb, Jackson, Gowdy) all have just the typical initials. And as stated earlier, the LaJoie appears to be of much higher quality than the others.

Looking forward to those pics.....

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From what little bit of the decal remaining I can see, it's 100% Home Run Baker. Also has bat rack marks, cleat marks, ball marks. Also bat is slight bigger than 34" and weighs 38oz.

Definitely a Frank Baker model.

I'd send it to Mears or PSA, if you want a professional assessment. Of course much of their determination depends on the length, weight, use characteristics, and that tape job (and whether they match known Frank Baker exemplars). The taping could've been done at anytime during the bat's lifetime, so would be good to get clarification on that aspect as well.

I think it is potentially a "gamer", and hope you'll share the results with us if you proceed with the authentication. Best of luck!

Thanks brother! I'm going to actually send it in to PSA and see what they say... I thought I had something special, I just wanted to do my homework first before I asked for help.

Beautiful Baker bat. Congratulations. If I had that bat, I would send it to John Taube: he has certified Baker bats with that length and weight as pro-model bats. I, too, would be very curious to learn what PSA or Mears have to say about the knob, wood, pro use, etc.

Beautiful Baker bat.

Thanks my man!

Yes really nice bat. The JF Hillerich & Son bats are my favorite. I know collectors like the decal to be almost perfect but me I like it to be the opposite. I would like to think that if these decal bats were game used then the decal would be worn away like my Lajoies and Baker (I’ll post pictures later). Congrats on the bat and let us know the results.

Congrats on the bat and let us know the results.

Thanks my man. I appreciate it! I'll be sending it in to PSA this week coming up.

That is a fantastic bat!

Thanks! Ironically today is Home Run Bakers birthday haha

Ron V can’t wait to see those bats!

Here's the Baker bat and one of my Lajoie bats. The pictures don't do the bat justice. The grain is really nice on this bat. The decal is no longer there but I took the bat down to John Taube and he said it was a Lajoie model.

Here's another picture.

Wow! Those are amazing! Thanks for sharing those photos. Amazing.