19th Century Bats
 

Since the game used bats thread is going so well, I thought I'd start another bat thread showing bats from my favorite era, the 19th century. Here's a tiger maple bat acquired from a fellow board member a few years ago.

Beautiful bat Gary. Can’t wait to see more 19th century bats.

Gret topic and good timing as I just pulled these out of my closet. Gary, great bat! How long is it? Here are my favorites. The first is a ring bat, 37 inches long with League in the center. The second is 41.5 inches long and has a knob that matches another large bat with an 1865 patent date so I believe this is my oldest bat. I found the first in an old collector's home and the second at an antique store. The last picture shows the two bats next to a 35 inch store model bat.

Alan

Fantastic stuff guys!

Here are a few of mine...

Top Bat is probably my eariest, circa 1870s

5th one down is an ornate Ball Knob Bat

4th from the bottom is my version of a Tiger-striped Bat

2nd from the bottom is a rare Spalding Zebra Stripe Bat

Very bottom is a super rare 37" Spalding Ring Bat made of Willow


The last photo just shows greater close-up detail of the Spalding Zebra Stripe and Willow Ring Bats.

35", Alan. Great bats so far. Keep them coming.

Oh, those are all so gorgeous!

Store front / folk art-esque...

19th Century Bats
 

Bless your heart, Gary...a thread like this gives me something to think about other then, well...the obvious these days. I'm gonna post a bunch here so please forgive me. After we've exhausted bat, lets think about 19th C. balls, images, anything, etc.

We'll start with the Spalding bats...this one here is 35" and near pristine.

Spalding Axletree...34"

Spalding Wagon Tongue...34"

Standard Bat Co...Antique and Special League Models...both in excess of 34" and uncracked.

Wright and Ditson...36" ring bat...the exact same model that Mike Kelly is holding in his famous portrait to include the wear pattern on the centerbrand and rings....kinda, sorta.

Presentation / Trophy Bat...sterling silver on rosewood...34"...minty.

League Model bat with Nautical Star...36"

Reach ring model bat...34"

Peck and Snyder ring model bat...a thick 35" and un-cracked...the earliest P&S bat we've ever owned.

Circa 1880s, "Eagle Prize Bat" presented to the Brooklyn Writers Nine.

Circa 1860s- mid 1870s (at the latest), wrapped handle bats...in this case, leather bound handles. We own three of these unique models.

Bat 1:

Leather Wrapped Handle bat 2:

Leather Wrapped Handle Bat 3:

"Regulation" model ring bat...36" with gold rings and lettering, and one of the most beautiful grain patterns I've seen on a bat from this, or any era.

So, those there are 15 examples of our 19th C. bats...I've got a few more, but still need to take photos. I hope this tread keeps on going for a while yet. Enjoy!!

Jonathan

Cool bat, Tim.

Jonathan- What can I say? Off the charts!

Here's a cousin to your leather wrapped handle bats. Twine wrapped handle made of very light wood, maybe willow or pine. Circa 1860s and 40".

Trophy/Presentation Bat...37" example with engraved, sterling silver ring.

I should probably add the pics...

Here we go...

I have nothing to add to this thread, but I sure do like it.

Doug

Here’s a few of mine.

Mark-Does willow generally have the blotchy pattern on your Spalding bat? I can identify ash, but after that it gets more difficult. Spalding even advertise a cherry wood bat. I don't think I've ever seen one.

Love the bats everyone. I have 19th century stuff, but alas, no bats.
Jonathan, I would still love to acquire one of your Brooklyn presentation bats.
Trade?

Yes Willow often has that blotchy looking surface. It's also rather soft to the touch, and is noticeable lighter than ash or hickory.

It would be cool to see a Cherry Wood Spalding, as I don't think I've ever seen one of these. If anyone knows about them (or has a shot at owning one), perhaps it's Jeff Mann. But I'm not sure if Jeff frequents this forum. Maybe Matt Hart or JPOP can chime in, as they might have knowledge of one.

Mark et al- Here is a bat that should arrive tomorrow thanks to a board member. It is a Spalding No. 3 and is made from basswood, which is even lighter than willow. It is 34" long and weighs 26 ozs. and is made from "polished" basswood, as described in 1879 and 1885 Spalding catalogs.

Well that's about as nice as they come. I can't imagine a more pristine centerbrand than that ancient Basswood Spalding has.

Is there any restoration, or is it actually all-original? Just beautiful!

The backside has a very small period nail repair in the handle unfortunately, but the bat will display beautifully. The label and patina are as good as it gets.

Guys, all those bats are just killers. Thanks Gary for starting this thread.

These two bats were pictured in an 1874 Boston Red Stockings team photo. The labels are not visible, but can anyone identify what type of bats these are?

Hi Paul. The bat on the right sure looks a lot like Jonathan's Snyder bat, even though it is one year earlier.

The one on the right is a typical twine model

The 1874 bat looks thicker and the handle wrap covers less of the bat.

Kevin- Spalding catalogs advertise wound handle bats. Do you know if they mean twine or leather and do you know if any survive?

The Spalding is 35” and the Standard is 38”.
It’s my understanding both are willow.

Here are mine although they don't compare to the others that are posted. I'm guessing the last bat I posted is a 19th century homemade bat. It weighs a ton too.

38 inches long.

Congtrats...
 

Congtrats...
 

Good one....
 

Not an actual bat, but a fairly early bat bag.
 

Most of the players in this photo played in the game in which Harvard led the 1870 Red Stockings by by 5 runs with 2 outs in the nineth
, but lost. This would have been their first loss ever at home. I also like that it has Archie Bush in it, as Cummings threw the first curve ball in a game against him. I love this thread, but have no actual bat, never trusting myself to get a real one. Anyway, hope you enjoy seeing an early bat bag.

Thanks for the kind words and interest in the bats, Carlton...like everyone else, not much to the discoveries other than many years, lots of leg work, and money that wasn't easy to part with!

The Eagle Prize bat was acquired via trade, and the P&S ring bat was an ebay purchase. Soon as it hit the block we apparently made the right offer.

I too love looking at period images and seeing if equipment in the collection matches up...these days (unfortunately), its become quite a pastime.

Jonathan
www.dugouttreasures.com

I have a few 19th century bats to add to the post
 

https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/xq90/922/QgRyTe.jpg

1. Banana
2. Ball Balanced
3. Burnt Striped Spalding Mushroom
4. Crown Standard Tiger Maple
5. Fancy Stripe League Bat
6. L.C. Dole & Co.
7. League Club
8. W&D Fungo
9. 1870's Black Walnut
10. Leather grip handle with folk art star
11. Wagon Tongue Double "Strike This Way of Grain"
12. Fancy Grip Spalding Wagon Tongue
13. Fancy The Spalding
14. Town Bat

Great stuff... Love 'em all (especially the Banana!)

So many great bats!