Offered for auction, 1925-32 circa Rogers Hornsby Hanna Batrite Professional Model Game Used Bat. Per the MEARS bat label index, this bat can be dated to the 1925-32 era. 1925 was the first instances of Hanna Batrite bats being used by Major League players, and starting in 1932, the patent pending stamp was added to the knob.
The barrel stampings appear as "George Driver, TA (tempered ash) HORNSBY 10 (model) 4 (length, 34"), Steel Temper (process similar to powerizing). The centerbrand contains the traditional 1925-32 bat logo. Examination of the Hornsby 10 model reveals that this is the exact model he preferred when ordering H&B bats, referred to in his Louisville Slugger personal records as, "His Own Hornsby Model", which recognized his preferred flared knob. MEARS has uncovered several instances, (Gehrig, Lazzeri, Foxx, Eddie Mathews) of Hanna Batrite users having their bats made identical to their H&B counterparts.
This bat measures 34" in length and currently weighs 32 ounces. When comparing this bat to H&B factory records, during the 1925-32 era, his bats were shipped weighing 35 to 40 ounces. This bat at 32 ounces is 3 ounces lighter than H&B factory records, but a weight loss of 3 ounces is within the accepted range. Regarding this bat's 34" length, H&B list Hornsby's bats length as N/S" (not specified) to 35". Bat exhibits heavy game use, with a flattened hitting surface above the barrel stampings, light stitch marks, and light cleat marks. Reverse of the centerbrand is a 3" handle crack, with no separation and no missing pieces. The knob is hand turned with two small chips on each parallel edges.
Bat originated from the Louisville Slugger find, and has evidence of side writing below the barrel, which is currently unreadable.
Final Grade: MEARS A7. Base grade 5 for bat be consistent with known model and within an acceptable length and weight range for Hornsby, 3 points for optimal use, minus 1 point for the handle crack and knob chips.
Collection of MEARS staff