With no disrespect to the buyer…I suspect this is likely a Pro Stock bat, and people bid accordingly. I have learned, that for decades teams have ordered bats for their minor league affiliates. These pro stock bats were branded with a player name. If the Yankees, for example, ordered K55 models for the minor league teams the bats came with Mantle's name on the barrel. R43 models had Berra's name, D29's had DiMaggio. Most teams would do this.
Pro Stock bats are generally cut in even lengths 33, 34 35 inch etc. And, most noticeably, the wood is inferior to professional grade (you can tell by the grain). The fact that it has someone else's initials carved into the knob, and that it doesn't exhibit heavy "Mantle-type" use, further points to this being used by someone other than Mantle.
Regarding if Mantle game used bats are soft right now...They are not. Take a look at the prices in Heritage's current Platinum offering. Pretty robust.
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