Let’s start a game used bat thread.

[JoeDfan]

Originally Posted by Mark

Does anyone have a full sized H&B bat with the same center brand? The "Made in USA" doesn't seem to appear under the H&B brand in the same way that it appears in the photos in the Vince Malta book. The M lines up exactly under the R in Hillerich, while the A is between the A & D of Bradsby. Am I missing something? Any info and (or) opinions are appreciated.

That is a very interesting bat. I could swear I had one like it, but now that I am looking for it, naturally I cannot find it. I will keep looking around...

I love finding variant bats!

[Mark]

Originally Posted by JoeDfan

That is a very interesting bat. I could swear I had one like it, but now that I am looking for it, naturally I cannot find it. I will keep looking around...

I love finding variant bats!

Thanks for looking! It would be instructive to know that bats like this are not as common as dirt. I hope you will keep an eye open for similar bats, and that others will, too. AND I would be extra grateful if others would post photos of other old bats that don't seem to fit the mould.

[bat_master]

Here's as close as I found. Appears that the font of the 125 and other markings is identical. This one I had originally dated as 1921-22, as that coincided with Fonseca's first two years in MLB with the Cincinnati Reds. Could have been a bit earlier though, I suppose. Would depend on when he signed his contract with H&B. (I owned this Fonseca in 2011)

If it stands that mine is a 1921-22 and we know there are bats from 1922 with "Made In USA" in the center label after it replaced the -.- below, then I would make the logical conclusion that your bat is likely a 1922 transition bat.

LFonsecaBrl.jpg
LFonsecaCB1.jpg

[Mark]

Originally Posted by bat_master

Here's as close as I found. Appears that the font of the 125 and other markings is identical. This one I had originally dated as 1921-22, as that coincided with Fonseca's first two years in MLB with the Cincinnati Reds. Could have been a bit earlier though, I suppose. Would depend on when he signed his contract with H&B. (I owned this Fonseca in 2011)

If it stands that mine is a 1921-22 and we know there are bats from 1922 with "Made In USA" in the center label after it replaced the -.- below, then I would make the logical conclusion that your bat is likely a 1922 transition bat.

Attachment 454775
Attachment 454774

Tim, you've got a very keen eye for fonts, among other things. What you say makes sense. Thanks!

I've got at least 1 bat from around 1920 with a similar font. You've opened up a new line of research for me. I notice that the brand in my bat seems to wrap around the bat, maybe because the barrel is relatively thin. (35 in. 33 oz.). Maybe they quickly stopped using this label because it doesn't really fit the more tapered bats of the early 20's?

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by bat_master

Here's as close as I found. Appears that the font of the 125 and other markings is identical. This one I had originally dated as 1921-22, as that coincided with Fonseca's first two years in MLB with the Cincinnati Reds. Could have been a bit earlier though, I suppose. Would depend on when he signed his contract with H&B. (I owned this Fonseca in 2011)

If it stands that mine is a 1921-22 and we know there are bats from 1922 with "Made In USA" in the center label after it replaced the -.- below, then I would make the logical conclusion that your bat is likely a 1922 transition bat.

Attachment 454775
Attachment 454774

I have a good friend named Lou Fonseca. I’d love to gift him a Fonseca bat.