I HATE reproductions of anything!
 

Posted By: <b>Mike H</b><p>This is an example of a long time bat dealer who DEFINATELY knows better!<br /><br /><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/Honus-Wagner-H-B-Game-Bat-Pittsburgh-Pirates_W0QQitemZ200165728268QQihZ010QQcategoryZ50 125QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://cgi.ebay.com/Honus-Wagner-H-B-Game-Bat-Pittsburgh-Pirates_W0QQitemZ200165728268QQihZ010QQcategoryZ50 125QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem</a>

I HATE reproductions of anything!
 

Posted By: <b>John Harrell</b><p>Mike,<br /><br />I saw this bat and was rather surprised at the listing description. I've begun to see more and more of this type of listing, as well. Ruth and Cobb "store model" bats seem to appear some what often. Several "decal" bats have appeared that were old store model bats from the correct era, but with new decals applied. I, too, was surprised that this person did not say "reproduction" in his listing.<br /><br />John

I HATE reproductions of anything!
 

Posted By: <b>Mike H</b><p>Zane Burns acknowledged this bat is a repro, but went on to say all you need to do is ask. I pointed out that I know it's a repro, but most would not. If this were a 1920s store model they would give exact dating and every bit of info possible.

I HATE reproductions of anything!
 

Posted By: <b>Rob Dewolf</b><p><i>... but went on to say all you need to do is ask.</i><br /><br />I wonder whether he typed that (I'm assuming you e-mailed him) with a straight face. The seller found time to put this description in his auction -- "Wagner played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Louisville Colonels from 1897-1917." -- but wasn't able to list when the bat was issued?<br /><br />Granted, this kind of misleading ad isn't as bad as what's done by eBay lowlifes, but I'd think that a seller like this -- who handles a lot of legitimate bats -- would want to be held to a higher standard.<br /><br />Maybe the game-used bat market (and reproduction bat market) is softer than I thought.

I HATE reproductions of anything!
 

Posted By: <b>Dan Bretta</b><p>I see he has now added that the bat is approximately 30 years old to the description.

I HATE reproductions of anything!
 

Posted By: <b>Mark L</b><p>"All you had to do was ask"-- my gosh. Even the most reputable and generally helpful bat dealers never cease to surprise me. In any case, I wonder if a reproduction like this one is made out of the same wood quality, finish, and care that goes into a regular game bat. Does anybody here buy these things?

I HATE reproductions of anything!
 

Posted By: <b>davidcycleback</b><p>I'm nothing close to a bat expert, but the bat in that auction simply looked modern, in particular the branding.<br /><br />Obviously the seller should have included that it was reproduction, and did when it was mentioned to him.<br /><br />As a photo collector, I know that if a seller doesn't say a photo is original, it probably isn't. Because if it was original the seller would say so.