Examination of a 1923-26 circa George Babe Ruth 40K H&B Louisville Slugger Professional Model Game Bat (2nd 40K Ruth bat evaluated by MEARS)…by Troy R. Kinunen/MEARS
To determine professional issuance, MEARS examined Babe Ruth bat #308627 for signature version, centerbrand dating, length, weight, wood grade, Kork Grip, evaluation of use, and comparison to both known factory records and a previously examined Ruth 40K professional model bat, (MEARS #300715). We also referenced all known listings of cork grip bats, which were found in available H&B records. Finally, we surveyed two common player professional model 40K cork gripped bats, George Ramsey and Harry Smith. The common bats served to illustrate that 40K bats were produced for professional players other than the superstars of the era and further support their use in the major leagues.
Dating 1923-26 circa: The dating of this bat is open to interpretation. The 2nd version barrel signature is consistent with the 1921/22 to 1931 era. The centerbrand design can be dated to circa 1922-25. N/S (non specified length bats were ordered between 1921-26. The weight is consistent with orders from 1926 (light weight order and 36 to 38 ounces orders) and possibly the unspecified length/ unspecified weight of the 8/9/23 order for Kork Grip bats. Therefore, the bat is consistent with several of the factory orders and manufacturer characteristics as bats factory recorded during the 1923-26 era. In addition, this bat features the centerbrand variation of 40-K. This was most commonly found on bats produced during the 1917-21 label period (example Harry Davis, MEARS database). We know that 1921/22 was the transition year for the second version of the Ruth barrel signature. Therefore, this bat would be most consistent with production during the 1922 era. Reason being is the bat has the 1921 circa centerbrand design of the 40-K (as opposed to the 1920s version of 40K) and the second version signature. We also know that production methods had carry over, so the production methods with respect to barrel centerbrand and 2nd version signature of this bat is very consistent with the 1923 order of Babe Ruth ordering 40K bats.
Barrel Signature version: This bat exhibits the Second Version barrel stamping facsimile signature which came into use during the 1921/22 era and was used for the remainder of his career (1921/22 to 1935).
Centerbrand (1922-26): Examination of the centerbrand reveals this bat was manufactured during the 1922-25 era. This can be verified with the book, A Complete Reference Guide of Professional Model Bats by Vince Malta. The presence of the Second Version signature also helps date this bat to the 1922-25 era as this was the version of the facsimile signature that would be expected to be found on this era bat. The Malta Guide to bats correctly references this label period as circa 1922-25, but it is possible to have been carried over to 1926, as it was a common and documented practice. 1926 is referenced as a possible date as the H&B factory records reference both light weight bats and bats weighing 36 to 38 ounces. This bat is consistent with those factory-recorded weights, thus must be considered as a possibility of dating of 1926.
Length: For the label period (1922-25), H&B factory records show bats ordered for Ruth in non-specified lengths with weight listed only, non-specified length with no mention of weight (8/9/23), 34.5 inch, 35 inch, 35.25 inch, 35.5 inch, & 36 lengths. This examined bat measures at 34 inches and does not match the H&B factory listed lengths of 34.5” to 36” bats as being ordered by Ruth during the 1922-31 era. This bat may have been consistent with the N/S (length not specified) factory record, as H&B recorded the single entry on 8/9/23 with no mention of either length or weight. The record does clearly state the request for Kork grip.
Weight 36.575 ounces: H&B factory records verify that during the time frame of 1923-26, Ruth ordered bats weighing 36 to 42 ounces. This bat falls within the acceptable weight range for bats ordered by Ruth during this bat's centerbrand time frame. For the actual Ruth H&B record for the order for Kork Grip bats, the weight is recorded as n/s, or non specified.
Final Grade: MEARS A6. 5 base points assigned for bat being consistent with model (40K), weight 36.75 ounces, signature version (2nd), and an acceptable range of length (34") which may have been ordered by Ruth during the 1922-25 era. The factory records for Kork Grip bats from this label period are known, but the length and weights are not listed (n/s = non specified). 1 point was subtracted for the incomplete factory record which did not support the 34" length, minus one point for the deadwood and carving on the knob.
c2563
(MEARS LOA)