Offered is a Stan Musial Hillerich and Bradsby Professional signature model bat from the 1943-1949 time frame. Any Musial bat from this time frame is desirable, even one being identified as an Index Bat. The primary reason for the desirability is the fact that it is a signature model versus a block MUSIAL MODEL that typified his offerings in the 1950s and 1960s.
The bat is a model M117 measuring at 35” and currently weighing 34.9 ounces. The M117 was first manufactured for “Stan the Man” from the Walker Cooper C92 in 1944. The difference is a thinner handle. The M117 was Musial’s weapon of choice throughout the rest of the 1940s. The difference being that Musial’s personal order records show those bats being at 34 ½” in length. Musial did in fact order bats at 35” both before and after this time frame, including the M117 at 35” in 1952.
This Musial signature model M117 exhibits heavy use with ball marks present on all sides of the barrel. Along the back of the barrel of the bat are a few small gray paint specks. The name "Milt" is carved into the knob of the bat, however, MEARS was unable to locate any 'Milt' that played for the St. Louis Cardinals during this period. There was at least one Milt playing professional baseball at this time, Milt Byrnes, who played for the St. Louis Browns. What is interesting to note is that both the Byrnes and Musial not only played in the same city between 1943-1945, but they shared the same stadium as St. Louis’ Sportsman’s Park was the home to both the Cardinals and the Browns.
Musial bats, especially the earlier and rare signature versions, are extremely popular with Cardinal collectors and those looking to fill out sets for either the 3000 hit club or the MLB All Century Team and rightfully so. Three NL MVP awards, three World Series titles, seven National League Batting Championships and twenty-four All Star Games…not bad for a guy who began his career as a pitcher. Good thing for baseball history that someone took notice of his bat. Take notice of this bat and what is likely to be a bargain.
MEARS A6.5 - Team Index grade with five points for the base grade, three points for heavy use, a point deduction for the carving in the knob, and a half point deduction for paint specks along the barrel.