19th Century Bats

[pedodds]

Thank You Bruce!

I knew that bat would grab your attention being the Red Stockings expert and George and Harry Wright expert that you are. You have been a good friend and mentor to me over the years. I know that you could tell the forum about the Grand Match at Union Grounds in Cincinnati where that trophy bat was presented match better than I ever could.

Originally Posted by bgar3

John, have always known you had a stunning collection but just super stuff, glad you posted.
My favorite, as I think you might have guessed, is the Ellard bat. Such an amazing bridge to the 1869 team, but also to one of the great early histories of baseball, written by his son, but based upon the records and collection of material he saved. Wow!
What is also cool is how many different items, the great collectors on here have noted as their favorites. The essence of collecting.
Thanks again for sharing.

[Bill Rayburn]

To me this has been a most enjoyable and informative thread. Thanks to all the posters for sharing their knowledge and fabulous collections. Unfortunately I don't have any 19th century bats to share at this time but, as some of you are aware, I also make replica 19th century bats. These bats are my interpretation and have been inspired by many of the vintage bats posted in this thread. The top bat in the first picture is 39” in length and made of cherry with 2 silver badges. The 2nd and 3rd bats are made of willow and finished with a highly polished lacquer finish. The 4th bat is made of “Tiger Flame” birch and was inspired by an 1860's presentation bat that John has posted in this thread. The miniature bat at the bottom is made of black walnut obtained from the Gibson Guitar Co. In the second picture the top 2 bats are made from the “Tiger Flame” birch and the 3rd bat is made from ash with a leather grip. At times, like now, when you don't have the real thing, I can enjoy these tributes hanging on my wall plus they were a lot of fun to make.

[pedodds]

Bill,
Those bats are amazing works of art! I wonder how long it takes just to make one bat. They look extremely labor intensive. How did you learn your craft? I'm sure there were a few splinters along the way!
Let me know when I can have one commissioned!
Thanks for sharing!

Originally Posted by Bill Rayburn

To me this has been a most enjoyable and informative thread. Thanks to all the posters for sharing their knowledge and fabulous collections. Unfortunately I don't have any 19th century bats to share at this time but, as some of you are aware, I also make replica 19th century bats. These bats are my interpretation and have been inspired by many of the vintage bats posted in this thread. The top bat in the first picture is 39” in length and made of cherry with 2 silver badges. The 2nd and 3rd bats are made of willow and finished with a highly polished lacquer finish. The 4th bat is made of “Tiger Flame” birch and was inspired by an 1860's presentation bat that John has posted in this thread. The miniature bat at the bottom is made of black walnut obtained from the Gibson Guitar Co. In the second picture the top 2 bats are made from the “Tiger Flame” birch and the 3rd bat is made from ash with a leather grip. At times, like now, when you don't have the real thing, I can enjoy these tributes hanging on my wall plus they were a lot of fun to make.

[perezfan]

Those are all indeed beautiful, Bill... Incredible craftmanship!

Interesting that you obtained some black walnut from the Gibson Guitar Company. Did you have a contact person there? It would never have occurred to me, to source wood from a place like that. But I guess that's what makes you the Bat Guru!

[Bill Rayburn]

Thanks Gary, Bruce, John and Mark for the kind comments on my replica bats. They are all hand turned from three inch billets. I learned how to use a lathe from a very gracious mentor and, as John says, a lot of splinters along the way. It takes anywhere from about 4hrs to 6hrs depending on the model. Not sure on the willow bats. Willow is soft and hard to work with. The finish on them is about 12 coats of clear lacquer that is hand rubbed with a 9 step sanding process after each third coat.
John, to your question about availability. I do make them for resale, just don't be in a hurry. I only have a couple of the Tiger Flame birch and a couple of the willow billets left and not sure of current availability. After searching the internet for about 8 years I finally found a local mill that could supply me with willow. It took 13 months to get 12 billets and I had to buy the whole tree. Mark, to your question concerning the black walnut mini bat. I traded a ton of low end, flee market type stuff to a former employee of Gibson Guitar for enough black walnut and mahogany to make about 450 mini bats. He said the wood is cut offs and rejects for the guitar necks.

[pedodds]

Hey Bill,
Can you make me a bat with some of your willow to match Gary's beechwood Spalding bat? I don't think any of us will ever see another bat like that again!
I would be honored to have the Rayburn logo on my bat!

Originally Posted by Bill Rayburn

Thanks Gary, Bruce, John and Mark for the kind comments on my replica bats. They are all hand turned from three inch billets. I learned how to use a lathe from a very gracious mentor and, as John says, a lot of splinters along the way. It takes anywhere from about 4hrs to 6hrs depending on the model. Not sure on the willow bats. Willow is soft and hard to work with. The finish on them is about 12 coats of clear lacquer that is hand rubbed with a 9 step sanding process after each third coat.
John, to your question about availability. I do make them for resale, just don't be in a hurry. I only have a couple of the Tiger Flame birch and a couple of the willow billets left and not sure of current availability. After searching the internet for about 8 years I finally found a local mill that could supply me with willow. It took 13 months to get 12 billets and I had to buy the whole tree. Mark, to your question concerning the black walnut mini bat. I traded a ton of low end, flee market type stuff to a former employee of Gibson Guitar for enough black walnut and mahogany to make about 450 mini bats. He said the wood is cut offs and rejects for the guitar necks.

[Bill Rayburn]

John...I can do that. Let me get with Gary on a couple of details and will get back with you. THANKS !!!

[MGHPro]

Wow- wonderful collection! One of the best I’ve ever seen! I agree with what everyone said , so no need to see more .

As for a Rayburn bat , everyone should own one . Bill is as modest as they come , the bats are absolutely amazing works of art . He’s an absolute perfectionist.. and amazingly reasonable for the amount of time and effort that goes into each bat .

Great stuff everyone - glad to see some excitement on the memorabilia side
Matt

[BruceinGa]

Originally Posted by Bill Rayburn

To me this has been a most enjoyable and informative thread. Thanks to all the posters for sharing their knowledge and fabulous collections. Unfortunately I don't have any 19th century bats to share at this time but, as some of you are aware, I also make replica 19th century bats. These bats are my interpretation and have been inspired by many of the vintage bats posted in this thread. The top bat in the first picture is 39” in length and made of cherry with 2 silver badges. The 2nd and 3rd bats are made of willow and finished with a highly polished lacquer finish. The 4th bat is made of “Tiger Flame” birch and was inspired by an 1860's presentation bat that John has posted in this thread. The miniature bat at the bottom is made of black walnut obtained from the Gibson Guitar Co. In the second picture the top 2 bats are made from the “Tiger Flame” birch and the 3rd bat is made from ash with a leather grip. At times, like now, when you don't have the real thing, I can enjoy these tributes hanging on my wall plus they were a lot of fun to make.

Fantastic Bill! I'm impressed at your skill and quality of work.
I'm a woodturner and now I see how I'll be spending my time at my lathe.

[Bill Rayburn]

Originally Posted by BruceinGa

Fantastic Bill! I'm impressed at your skill and quality of work.
I'm a woodturner and now I see how I'll be spending my time at my lathe.

Thanks Bruce for the kind words. I hope you enjoy making the bats as much as I do.