How can you tell if you have a game-used Ted Williams bat?

Answer 1

Specific factory identifiers can easily determine the difference between "game-used" bats - those actually used by ballplayers in a major league game - and more common "store-model" bats; those available at retail stores and outlets. Size, model and stamping on knob are the most reliable indicators.

Identifying a Game Used BatWith Louisville slugger, and Adirondack bats in short, if your bat has the size stamped into the knob it is a store model bat. This is placed there to help the buyer identify the size of the bat. Examples of this would be number like; 6, 06 036, 36, MM6, PR6. These marking will indicate a 36 inch bat. When letters proceed the number like TW6 or PR6 it is indicating the player model initials followed by the size, In this case TW6 Ted Williams 36 inch, and PR6 Pete Rose 36 inch.

Game used, and Professional model bats are two different animals. A game used bat would have to come with the proper paper work, or a letter of provenance showing the chain of custody from the player that used the bat to the person that currently owns the bat. Without this you might just have a pro model bat. It would otherwise be difficult to prove that the bat was actually used by the player.

Without provenance a professional authenticator will have to use player Characteristic, and company shipping records to identify a game issued bat.

Ted Williams player Characteristics would include a scored handle that he would sometimes do for grip. The knob on Ted Williams bats would have the number 9 with a line under it painted on by the Bat boy. If your bat doesn't have these distinguishing marks, no need to worry but it is common features on many of his authentic gamers. Williams used H&B bats exclusively even though he did order a few Adirondacks Bats.

Adirondack Professional model bats will typically have the model number on the knob followed by a Letter. for example Hank Aaron used a 63 A, Mickey Mantle used a 288 D. Louisville slugger began using model numbers on the knob in 1943 then moving the model number to the barrel in 1977. For example a K55 Ted Williams pro model would have K55 on the knob as opposed to the store model bat with K55 appearing on the barrel.

Ted Williams Preferred model Bat was a Blond Hillerich & Bradsby W166 he also Ordered Models: H117, H117L, K55, O1, S15, U1, W148, W153, W155, W165, W166, W167, W176, W183, W197.

I will leave links below to help you identify and date your bat.