Frank Chance Bat Help
 

Picked this one up at my local podunk auction this evening along with about 5other newer bats...

Bat is a Spalding Frank L. Chance Autograph Model it measures 29" and is pretty darned heavy, both the top and the bottom are a little dinged, and I almost feel like the top may have been sawed off at some point (although the wear is very much even throughout)

Any ideas on age? value?

Thanks in advance for the help

Prob has been sawed off. Early 20s? I had a Bresnahan a few years back, full sized tho and weight. Cool piece tho

Chance
 

Found it in the Valley of no return Scott!

Seymour CT

haha. I paid 50 for my Bresnahan, sold it for a hundred or a bit less, but many years back.

I'd need money to go there, and its a ways away. but yes, my car would fit in there..:)

Likely teens. In addition to branding consideration, Chance last played in 1914. Looks like a few inches were sawed. Store bats such as this were most all round end, no flat, and certainly no cupped barrel ends were sold at stores then. Sawing was a way to remove what some players viewed as a less useful tip top of the barrel, to customize length for store bought bats, and to reduce weight. There are a few major league players who sawed their bats as well from time to time. though again thisis a store model. I think value of about 150-200.

the Frank Chance autographed model were sold from 1912 to 1925. It should be 35" and 45 to 48 OZs

as it is cut down it is worth maybe $40 to 50

A Chance auto Spalding with crack repair sold in Legendary Auction May 2013 for $329 including buyer premium. Good looking bat included clear Spading stamps on both ends, but I've seen nicer ones go for $750-850 over the years. Your bat might bring +/- $100 in its condition - still very collectible. I would give you $50 and pay for shipping.