This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/8/2013
Offered is a professional model Babe Ruth H&B Louisville Slugger game used bat which dates to his legendary run with the New York Yankees. In addition to the 1921-31 era H&B center brand, the bat also features Ruth’s facsimile signature on the barrel and Kork Grip handle which remains about 75% intact. Currently measuring 34" and weighing 40.5 ounces, bat exhibits heavy use with some chipping to the barrel's end and dead wood with some separation. A lot of debate has occurred in the past with respect to the 40K model bats that have entered the hobby relative to their issuance and intended use. Recent information gathered by MEARS supports their professional use. By highlighting their inclusions in the H&B factory records, studying images of players holding cork gripped bats, examining 40K models of both star and common players, identifying professional model vs. store model traits, and finally examining actual examples, MEARS states that these bats were indeed used in Major League games. In an accompanying LOA MEARS identifies this bat as an authentic Babe Ruth game used example from the 1921-31 period.