Offered is a circa 1932 Frankie Frisch H&B Louisville Slugger game used bat. Examination of the centerbrand and design of the "125" aid in the 1928-31 overview dating. The first visual point of distinction is the "125" centerbrand stamp. This version is referred to as the non-base line 125, and was first introduced in 1928 and found on H&B bats until circa 1933. Additional dating can be found by examining the actual centerbrand. According to the Malta book, this version of the centerbrand should be referred to as the C-5B through C-5D style, and can be found on late 1928-1931 centerbrands. This centerbrand dating helps support the 1932 dating. Identified in the book, "A Complete Reference Guide Louisville Slugger Professional Player Bats by Vince Malta", Although the bat contains the standard 1928-31 centerbrand the examined bat does not contain the Powerized stamping introduced during 1931 which should be present on 1931-1932 H&B bats. It is the opinion of MEARS that this bat was issued to Frisch, most likely during the 1932 season, as the bat is most consistent with the weight for that year, minus the powerized stamp. The reason for the lack of Powerized is unknown. The Louisville Slugger factory records indicate that during 1932, the hickory model requested by Frisch was that of the model used by Billy Herman.
This examined bat currently measures 35" in length, and weighs 39 ounces. One of the key identifying factors of this bat is the fact it was produced from Hickory. Review of the records show that Frisch ordered Hickory bats during 1928, 1929, 1930, 1932, 1933. Of those orders, examination of the barrel end is most consistent with the hickory model bat ordered by Babe Herman, which was requested by Frisch during 1932, weighing 39 ounces. MEARS was able to compare the barrel end of this bat to a previous Babe Herman bat examined by MEARS (#307571), and found the model of both bats to be visually consistent. The record appears as:
"His 8/17/28 round end a.k.a. Herman (Babe) on end (Model F53)- Hickory". During 1932, Frisch ordered this bat in weights of 37,38, and 39 ounces. This bat is most consistent with this order due to its current weight of 39 ounces. Bats do indeed gain weight in some instances, but most of our research has seen bats losing weight over time. 39 ounces was the heaviest hickory order on record for Frisch.
Regarding the use on the bat, it can only be categorized as heavy and optimal. Use can first be determined by examination of the knob. A 6-point starfish like carving was neatly placed on the hand turned knob. The process of hand turning is indicative of the factory lathe hand concentrating on obtaining the requested weight of the player. The heavy use continues up the handle, where a 14" handle crack runs towards the centerbrand, but does not touch it. Moving up the hickory barrel, (a very hard surface, much stronger than ash), a deep, heavy patina consistently flows from knob to barrel end. The signs of heavy game use are manifested by a tight compacting of the grain, on all surfaces of the bat. Due to the strength of hickory, there are no signs of deadwood on this examined bat. An approximate 6" area above/reverse of the factory stampings contained signs of lost side writing. Both the factory centerbrand and Frank Frisch barrel stampings are deep, clean, and contain sharp contrast to the dark hickory wood, making for a very displayable bat. Near the area of the faded side writing is an area approximately 3" x 10" that has discolored. Although noted for accuracy, this area cannot be seen when viewing the front surface of the bat and would not be seen upon display.
Based on the dating of the centerbrand and "125", style/model of bat ordered by Frisch (Herman), H&B factory recorded length (35") & weight (39 ounces), hickory wood, and origin (Louisville Slugger find), MEARS feels that even in light of the absence of the Powerized barrel stamping, this bat can be dated to the factory recorded 1932 order requested by Frank Frisch.
Final Grade: MEARS A7. Base grade of 5 was assigned for bat matching model (Herman), Length, Weight, and hickory wood as requested by Frisch and confirmed via factory records. 3 points were awarded for the bat containing optimal, heavy game use. Minus 1 point for the handle crack and area of reverse discoloration.
MEARS Bat Trade Index: According to the MEARS Bat Trade Index, copyright 2005-2009, there have been 4 total Frank Frisch H&B bats examined by MEARS. This is the highest graded example. Collection of MEARS staff.