Calling all Vintage Bat Experts
 

I am curious how many people here view themselves as somewhat knowledgable when it comes to vintage baseball bats. (Pre-30s) I have a bat that has been looked at by several people including John Taube and all they can come up with for dating it is that it is "A CONVERSATION PIECE". The bat does not fit the dating period used in the Malta bat book. I would like all "BAT PEOPLE" to chime in with a discussion/opinion/comments on this piece. I will post pictures and description of the bat in the next several days. Anyone interesting in lending their knowledge here about this bat? Please just post a simple YES if you would like to join in....Thanks much....I will be interested to get everyones opinion and will also put in my 2 cents as well!

YES - I want to see it.

NO - I know next to nothing about pre-30s bats. :p

I’m a bat guy. Let’s see it.

Bat Experts
 

Appreciate the 2 people so far that are interested....but I am hoping for like 15 to 20 repsonses!

Post some images
 

I am sure those who know enough to weigh in on the piece will assuming they feel comfortable doing so.

If you got 5, I’d be surprised.

Can I be #3?

People post bat pics here all the time. Have at it.

You say "somewhat knowledgeable". I'm qualified for that lol. I'll be 4th

I know something about a pretty narrow range of pre-war bats, but I really enjoy seeing almost all of them. Show!

I know a little about them. I do know a knowledgeable bat guy I can have look at the info/pictures.

I know more about pre 1900 bats but I will say I am happy to give it a look and try to help.

Alan

Let’s see it 😁

Vintage Bat help
 

I am going to post pics now and withhold any comments or thoughts I might have. The bat is 33 inches in length and the current weight is 33.7 oz. Feel free to let me know your thoughts especially about the center label and also what the (ME) arrow with a 5 might stand for. Thanks and I hope lots of people will join in with the "conversation piece".

Could you post a pic that shows the whole bat?

Where is the “Oil Tempered” in relation to the center label?

Bat experts
 

Figure you can guys can flip if you need to...Thanks you for any opinions.

I would agree on cool conversation piece. I know I have seen that ME symbol before but can't remember when or what it is. Do you know any of the history of the bat?

Bat Experts
 

I have owned the bat for about 25 years. It was orginally purchased off Ebay many years ago with no thoughts regarding the center label....just knew it was a nice old bat....before the Malta book was published. No other history.

Bat Experts
 

John Taube looked at this bat in person last Sunday. He described it as a "conversation piece". Using a light and scope, he said that the center label was done all at the same time. He stated that he had no opinion in regards to whether the ME/5 was also done at the same time or at a later date. He remarked that the 5 made no sense in regards to the length of the bat seeing how the bat is only 33 inches in length. He also stated he had never seen the ME arrow symbol on a bat before and did not know what it could be for.

Cool bat. Looks to me like the "ME" part was added after the fact. I have some bats in my collection with extra added marks.

Regarding the center label, I have a couple around here that don't quite match Malta's book. I presume those are transition bats or one offs.

Is that a "6" on the knob? If yes, did Taube have a comment on that?

The mark reminds me of the old Wilson bats. But I do not think it serves the same purpose.

Bat Experts
 

Good catch on what appears to be a "6"...He did not mention seeing this and I did not as well! My issue with it being a transition bat is that the 125 stamping was used according to Maltas book from 1922-25 where as the & SON CO. was only until around 1916-17 and the Dash Dot Dash from 1917ish until 1921 or 22 when the Made in USA came into being. Awful long transition. The ME I will address after I have heard from other people...I only have a theory on it...

Great catch on the 6!!!!!

There is a site called baseball-fever.com or some such thing. There is a wood bat discussion thread. Brian Hillerich posts there once in a while under BMH. I would contact him somehow. He's all about L.S. pending confidentiality issues.

BAT Experts
 

Good to know. Thanks.

The 125 in the center label looks to be the wide version used from 1922-24. Which I think is basically what you're saying above.

According to the Malta guide, the 125 was introduced in 1917 so it would be just the wide version that really throws a wrench in it. Maybe. Maybe not.

When looking over previous versions of the difference center labels (mainly 1910-15) the width of the -.- (dash dot dash) and "MADE BY" in the center label is fairly consistent. Both of these markings generally run from the 'I' in LOUISVILLE to the 'U' in SLUGGER located at the top of the center label.

It sort of stands to reason then, that when H&B made the move to introduce the 125 stamping they did so using the same spacing as previous markings.

Here's another similar bat with same sized 125:
https://www.mearsonlineauctions.com/...LOT137471.aspx

And another:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthoped...ille-499097724

Both of these bats have the same center label. I'd call it a 1915-17.

BAT Experts
 

Thanks Tim.

I am guessing 6 is the original weight of the bat?
Tim gave some excellent examples here with the same label.
Another collector friend of mine once speculated that original bats might have been created earlier, and finished later to fill orders, which might explain the difference. Just a thought. Now you make me want to go look and see if I have this label in my collection. Lol.

Bat Experts
 

A friend who deals in gloves sent me an article from a Chicago Sporting Goods store which I think might solve the ME labeling. The company at the turn of the century often attached their stampings to other items sold in their stores besides gloves including Louisville Slugger bats. Seems to me this answers that question. Thanks Brett! I will now throw away my idea that it might have stood for Military Edition. LOL

Nailed it!!
Great work!

There’s a Joe jackson decal bat with the me logo out there

Bat Experts
 

Feel free to post a picture if you have one to compare. Time frame would seem to be the same...

Obviously not from the same era
 

But this picture shows a metal branding die which was used by Slugger. Note the area in which an additional piece of metal would be seated in order to add a 125, 250, or other mark. Could explain what caused one off or oddball brands when the wrong plate was used.

Bat Experts
 

Interesting....a later cast with the Made in USA? But possible to flip around.

Bat Experts
 

Any final thoughts that anyone would like to add....this seems to have run its course? Thanks for the input.

I find oddball stuff like that very cool. I would have no idea on value. Oddball stuff is hard to price as it has a way smaller market.