[MGHPro]

Recently, there has been a lot of talk about early Hillerich and Bradsby non 125 bats being used by professionals. These models include the 40k Kork Grip, the top of the line model 250 and the early decal bats . While there is not a doubt in my mind that professional players used these models, my concern is that, the bats that are being consider Pro Model due to no inch marks on the knob were also offered to the public. I have never seen a JF Hillerich and Son bat or a Hillerich and Bradsby -.- with inch marks on the knob. Later decal bats featuring the -.- logo were designated with model numbers such as 40 TC (Ty Cobb), 40 JJ (Joe Jackson) and so on making them store models, but still I have never encountered one of these bats with inch marks on the knob. Are they Pro model? No, but what does this show, early bats were not always stamped with inch marks. Take a -.- 40 BR of Babe Ruth. I have owned three and none had inch marks on the knob.
These are just a few of the examples that I can talk about from firsthand experience. Hillerich and Bradsby offered 250,40k’s and decal bats to the public, so how can we determine which ones were for professional use and which ones were for public usage?
Please realize that I am not arguing that non 125 bats were used by the pros because they were. There are pictures of players with 40k’s and Decal bats and Babe Ruth order 250’s. What I am saying is there no way to be 100% certain that a bat was used by a professional unless there is ironclad provenance.
If anyone can provide a picture of a Hillerich and Son or a H&B -.- 40k or 250 WITH INCH MARKS,(ANY PRE 1920 H&B BAT) I would love to see a picture. I think few, if any exist.