Show your spline bats

[WWGjohn]

Here are some pics of a few of my spline bats, all of which date from the 1890's and earlier. These are bats made from two or more separate pieces of wood, sometimes of different types. First is a presentation type bat from around 1890 (similar to one pictured in the book by Hauser, Turner, & Gennantonio). Second is a 37" poplar wood bat from around 1880. Third is a bottle type bat from the 1880's.

If you have some, I'd really like to see them.

John

[MGHPro]

Sorry the pics aren't the best.. Bat is several different woods.

[WWGjohn]

Matt,

That's a beauty. I have about 6 more to post but wanted to see what other folks had. They are actually fairly scarce and are often not recognized for what they are. Here are a couple: a torpedo style bat from the 1870's and a straight taper bat from the 1870's.

John

[WWGjohn]

Here are the others:

1) An unfinished 4 section spline, 37 inches. Possibly 1890's
2) A 4 section spline, 35 inches, poplar wood. 1890's.
3) A 2 section spline, 34 inches, ash wood. 1880-90.
4) A 2 section spline, 35 inches, ash wood. 1880's.

[ruth-gehrig]

Were these all presentational type bats? Wouldn't repeated contact with a baseball eventually cause separation of the layers?

[WWGjohn]

Michael,

Most of mine show definite signs of game usage, including cleat marks. If they were intended as presentation bats, they somehow wound up being used as game bats. Only two show no signs of game usage other than the unfinished bat.

John