March Pickups

[yanks12025]

Originally Posted by murphusa

could you show where on the barrel the mark is

What mark?

[sicollector1954]

The bat is 34 inches in length. The "R" starts 6.5 inches from the end of the barrel. Knob is chipped on both sides but it is a "Hornsby type" knob. Hoping to get the bat restored in the future and then will probably send to auction to help pay for my daughters college.

[BigJJ]

Sicollector, Nice pickup. you taught me something new. curious it is at 34 inches. they would Not have made an "R.H." pro stock bat, so it is either the real deal, or not, and not something in between like a pro stock. Lengths are largely not recorded for Hornsby in this era, though Hornsby is at 35 inches a year later and his other recorded player orders are at 35 inches and longer to my knowledge. That being said, the last "R.H." certed a Hornsby gamer, which was the one at Heritage, is also 34 inches, and it appears based on the auction description that John gave 34 inches a thumbs up, though I have not seen the letter.

I would be Very curious to see the photo of Hornsby holding the bat with the "R.H.", does anybody have it? that they might post, as it may be generally discerned by those who look at bats a good portion of the day, whether Hornsby appears to be holding a shorter or longer R.H. bat, 34 or 35 or 36+ inch bat.

[sicollector1954]

Thanks BJJ! I had a restored Hornsby once before that John Taube did but he would only grade it a 6 based on the lack of length information. It was a 1929/30 era bat and like you said...no records to back it up one way or the other for shorter lengths. It later was sold in a Mears auction (about 6 months ago) if you want to check it out. However, with the Heritage bat being the same length as mine and it being much earlier( I believe the center label dates it to (1923-25--correct me if I am wrong anyone)--there now seems to be a case building to support Hornsby using this length bat a few times or perhaps quite often and the lack of records just don't exist to confirm this fact.
It is in the write up of the Heritage bat that a copy of the photo would be mailed to the winner of that particular Hornsby sidewritten bat probably found by Mr. Taube during his research. Maybe someone here won that bat in February and if so--they can post the picture for people to see. I know I would love to see it.