Keeler Spalding GM Pro Model?

[rholmes]

I won a larger lot of various items via an AH recently and with it came a few bats. I'll post one here and another in a separate post. The first is a Willie Keeler Spalding Gold Medal. It measures exactly 30.5" and weighs 37.5 ounces or just a tad heavier. By far the heaviest bat I've handled regarding length-to-weight ratio. The photos in the auction lot were non-existent and I didn't think there would be a chance in hell it wouldn't have the trademark stamps on the knob and/or barrel, but to my surprise...it doesn't seem to. No stamp on the knob for sure, and under magnification etc I can't detect one on the barrel end. It'd be nice to get any kind of thoughts on this being a non-retail or pro model (whatever wording you want to use)...

The larger question I have is, if it is pro model and I want to get it authenticated, are there pro/cons to using Mears over PSA or vice-versa? And with PSA, how do you begin to come up with a valuation for what you have if you don't know exactly what you have...which for some would be the reason for submission in the first place.

Any thoughts + opinions welcome!

[RelicSports]

I am not a vintage game used bat specialist, but based on some readings made recently, it is my understanding that the spalding gold medal bats were essentially retail bats for the public whose specs matched that of the player labeled on the bat. If that is the case (would love to hear from the experts), I don't think it wise to spend the money to authenticate.

[MGHPro]

That's a very odd looking rasping on the end . Perhaps the person who carved their initials in it, took down the knob for some odd reason .