Ty Cobb Bank (Real or Fake)

[freakhappy]

I'm with the guys above saying that it looks like a reproduction...however, I wouldn't necessarily say because of the screw. I mean, although the screw may be the wrong type, it could have easily been replaced over the years, right? It's only a screw, ya know...

[ruth-gehrig]

I'm interesting in telling the difference as well. You see these "pop up" quite a bit and just guessing most are repos.

[mjkm90]

This is often called a Cobb bank, but there has never been a link to him. I suppose the title gets more attention than a non-Cobb bank. There are two variations of this piece with this being by far the most common. Most of these have been painted along the way, but there is no way of knowing what the orginals featured. This piece does look a bit rough, but I don't own an example to compare it to.

The version I own was assembled with the screw head on the front of the belly and an inset square nut in the back. This variation appears to be earlier and is far more scarce and well made. It's also just a bit shorter and chubbier. There is a side by side photo of both in John Kashmanian's book:
Baseball Treasures Memorabilia from the National Pastime.