Here we have as many questions as we do answers. The bat is block letter Lenard but there are no such spelling of any player. If we guess right, it is misspelled and should be Leonard. Given that, we have three Leonard's that played ball from 1921 up to 1929 when this bat was returned. One is Dutch (1913-1925), the famous pitcher who played for the 1919 Reds and 1927 Yankees while the other two, Charles (1914-27) and Thomas (1924-36) played in the minor leagues. Of these three, if we are reading the weak side writing correctly, only Thomas was still playing in 1929 so we would lean towards this bat have been used by Thomas Leonard. Thomas played for Dover, Columbus, Springfield, Richmond, Rock Island, Keokuk, Zanesville, Cedar Rapids, Ft. Wayne and Toledo. The center brand could be as early as 1922 so one might ask why either Dutch or Charles would have sent a bat back in 1929 after their playing careers were over. Could they have been coaching somewhere? Possible.
Player:Lenard (sp)
Block/Script Name:Block last name only.
Label Period:1922-30
Year/s Used:1922-29
Teams Played During Era of Bat:Three possible players.
Other Teams Played:See notes.
Majors:
Minors:
Manufacture: H&B
Model Number:Pre model number
Length:35 5/8
Weight:35.4 oz.
Side Writing:Yes but about the only thing still readable is date: 5-13?-29
Vault Marks:No
Shipping Label:You can see image where label was.
Game Use:Heavy
Ball Marks:One set of stitch marks on top of barrel.
Swelling:Bottom of barrel shows most swelling.
Grain Separation:On back of barrel with about two layers and 11" missing off back.
Cleat Marks:4-5 marks on last 3" of barrel.
Rack Marks:No
Nails/Screws:No
Pine Tar:No
Handle Tape:Two ghost rings.
Handle Crack:No
Barrel Crack:No
Dents/Gouges:No
Wood:Ash
Autographed:No
Uniform Number:No
Knob Markings:Lathe
Barrel End Markings:None
Provenance:Louisville Vaults
Factory Records:No
Player Traits:Unknown
Grade: MEARS auction LOA.
MEARS Bat Index Report: None
Comments: If one was looking for a Dutch Leonard to fill a spot in their 1919 Reds or 1927 Yankees collection, he cannot be ruled out and this would be a really nice filler until, if ever, another Dutch Leonard bat turns up.
Inventory Number: H0172
Collection of MEARS staff: No
(MEARS LOA)