Removing paint from 1800s bat
 

Anyone ever remove paint from a bat? Recently picked up a 38" willow bat probably 1880s that someone a long time back painted flat black. I don't even know if it could be removed with a paint stripper chemical without damaging the wood? Would it not be worth the chance? Leave it alone and display as is?

Leave it
 

Keep it as is. Can we see some photos? No need to become a Bat Doctor!!!

Also, if you do remove it, be careful. Some of those old paints are lead base instead of oil base.

I’m ignorant- how do you identify a bat covered in flat black paint as 1880s?

Here's a pic or three.

I'm not implying, and hope it didn't come across that way, that I believe this bat is 1880s because it's painted flat black. Instead I think it's 1880s based on the length, taper from barrel to handle, the knob, etc and the black paint isn't natural to the bat.

No, I knew you weren’t attributing the dating to the paint. I’m pretty sure 19th century is an area of your expertise and just wondered what bat characteristics pointed you toward the 1880s.

I can see why you would want to get the paint off. That would look beautiful refinished.

So strip very carefully if you don't like it black. Be very careful at center cause there could be a label. Hey you never know