Offered for sale is a 1922-24 George Kelly H&B Louisville Slugger Professional Model Game Used bat. The centerbrand dating is noted as 1922-25, but the bat has a side written factory return date of 9(?) 8 - 1924, therefore narrowing the date to the 1922-24 time frame.
Bat currently measures 35” and weighs 37 ounces, all within the H&B factory records for bats shipped to George Kelly during this timeframe. There is no exact reference for this bat with the date, length, and model in the available shipping records.
Provenance: As evidenced by the factory side writing return date, this bat originated directly from the Louisville Slugger archives.
Game use: Bat exhibits heavy, optimal game use. There is the beginning of some slight deadwood on reverse of barrel. In the area of the handle, there is a 13” handle crack, (no missing pieces) which extends into the left edge of the centerbrand and shows separation.
Grade: MEARS A6.5. Base grade of 5 points for bat being consistent with factory records for Kelly with respect to length and model during the referenced time span, 3 points of optimal, heavy game use, minus 1.5 points for crack which extends through centerbrand.
Collection of MEARS staff.