Any bat experts out there?
 

I have a cracked Chuck Klein signature Louisville Slugger...K55 on the knob. I know many later players used his bat model but would appreciate the facts on the bat's production date.

The label says "LOUISVILLE SLUGGER" across the top..."125" beneath that...

"HILLERICH & BRADSBY CO." through the center, with "MADE IN U.S.A." beneath it...

And "LOUISVILLE, KY." around the bottom border of the oval, with "TRADE MARK REG." outside and below the oval.

The word "Powerized" appears to the right of the oval.

Above the "Chuck Klein" signature is the word "GENUINE"'; below it, the words "REG. U.S. PAT. OFF."

Can someone help pin down the production date for me? Thanks, all.

http://s915.photobucket.com/albums/a...KKLEINBAT2.jpg

Nice bat! It dates from 1943 to 1949. 1943 is the year model numbers began to appear on knobs and 1950 was the year "Reg. U.S. Pat Off" replaced "Trade Mark Reg." under the label.

The next thing that you will want to do is weigh it and measure its length.

And that's the rub. The tip end of the barrel is sawed off as was customary with some owned by some old ballplayers. I have 33" of the bat so not much is missing.

Thanks, Mike...I appreciate your help!