Don't make fun of me :) Old (or new) Baseball Bat help, Square End.

[smokelessjoe]

Baseball bats are not my field so am hoping you folks can lead the way. Spotted this bat for sale and wanted your thoughts on date, sport, etc.. First time I have used the camera on my phone so I am a little disappointed with the pictures - I will do better next time.

Bat Info:

FAIRLY DENSE HEAVY
Approx. 28" Long (I did not have a tape on me)
Lathe Marks on both ends
No Stamping

Should I go back and get this bat???

[slidekellyslide]

Homemade lathe bat...hard to say an age on something like that, but from you pics it certainly doesn't look like it was done anytime recently.

[khkco4bls]

Knob style and lathe ends appears to be around the 19th century, though rather short in length.looks in good shape.

[smokelessjoe]

Thanks guys... It is in really nice shape - that is part of what bothers me about it... The length bothers me as well - but when I think about it, I have never held one of these (early) bats. Seems really odd and different - Funny, I love collecting early baseball photos & ephemera but when you hold one of the items you are used to seeing in pictures it can really be eye opening.

[deebro041]

What kind of wood is that? Is it Maple?

[smokelessjoe]

Not sure of the type of wood... I would describe it as a blonde wood and was quite surprised at the weight when I picked it up.

[smokelessjoe]

PM me if anyone is interested with your email and I can email higher resolution photos.

[steve B]

I'd think it was Ash. There's a wide grained type and the nearly white type. I have some of the grained stuff out in the shop at the moment waiting to become a guitar body or two.

And.....Those pics came from a phone! Which one? I can't get anything like that with mine.

Steve B

[ruth-gehrig]

Did you get it?

[smokelessjoe]

I just now bought it! I will have to get it home and Post some more pics. Anything in particular I need to be looking for? I think it measures a little over 28 inches maybe 28 1/4 or 28 1/2... Picked up a huge cabinet photo - biggest one I've ever had. Suckers got to be 2 foot by one and a half - some type of fraternity with vignettes of the members. Cannot wait to do the research!

Steve, thanks for the input on the wood. I think this contraption they got me is an iPhone... I guess it does good by phone standards just my first foray.

[WWGjohn]

Judging by the lathe marks, knob, barrel end, and patina around the knob, I'd say the bat dates around 1890 or so. It would help to know how much it weighs. Short heavy bats were common back then and were not necessarily child's bats. Also would help to have a length-wise shot of the bat lying down.

John

[smokelessjoe]

Thank you for the info John,

Here is some more specs for the bat:

Length = 28 3/16
Weight = 27oz

[WWGjohn]

Shawn,

Based on these pics and weight I'd say this is a youth bat. The shape is a more modern one. I'd date it 1890 to turn of the century. The small knob is nice as are the lathe marks.

John