Date: Per the design of the Hanna Batrite centerbrand logo, this style of bat was available to be used during the 1930-38 era.
Length (Ordered at 36”): Per the “6” stamped after the model number 11 on the centerbrand, this bat was shipped at 36”. The bat currently measures 35 ½” and has visible signs of being shorted and sanded.
Weight (30 ounces): 35-42 were the recorded weights for Gehrig during the 1930-38 era. This bat currently weighs 30 ounces and is 5 ounces lighter than documented examples. Weight loss of up to 5 ounces has been recorded, or this bat may have been shipped light.
Game Use: Bat shows heavy game use with visible deadwood on the reverse of barrel. The handle remains uncracked, with small chip on the knob.
Comment Section: Via notations found in surviving Louisville Slugger bat records, Hanna Batrite was known to supply the professional leagues with game used bats. It is also documented that Ruth, Gehrig, & DiMaggio used Batrite bats at various times during their careers as supported by known surviving photos. Lou Gehrig was even asked to provide sworn testimony that supported his use of the Batrite brand.
Unlike H&B professional model bats, the markings on a Hanna Batrite can be ambiguous with respects of retail vs. professional model usage.
This example, “Beaver Driver, TA Gehrig 116 Steel Temper” is considered to be both a retail and professional model. Similar examples were found in surviving Batrite dealer catalogs. But, this exact same barrel stamping was found a Lou Gehrig bat that was returned to Louisville Slugger so Gehrig could have an exact H&B modeled after the returned Batrite. The only difference in the Lelands example was the Bat logo center brand. This example has the “HANNA BATRITE” second generation non-bat logo label. For comparison:
http://www.lelands.com/auction/AuctionDetail/19165/All-Star/Sports/Lou-Gehrig/Lot20~1932-Lou-Gehrig-Game-Used-Hanna-Bat-Rite-Side-Written-Bat
Final Grade (MEARS A5): Due the fact this bat was made available as both a professional and retail model, MEARS has assigned an A5 grade. The bat was shipped in a length known to have been used by Gehrig and the model (116) was documented to have been used by Gehrig, but this example has no supporting provenance.
LOA Troy Kinunen / MEARS