How old is your Louisville slugger model 40 TC?

Answer 1

The designation 40 TC (Ty Cobb) was a secondary line of retail store model bats. Because you didn't mention Ty Cobb as the player endorsement I suspect you might have a decal bat, and the decal wore off. Condition of the decal is not the only important with decal bats, it is everything.

The decals are fairly common in beat up condition, and without the decal the value will be reduced significantly. The dating of the bat is one of the most important factors on value along with condition. Hillerich & Bradsby Co. Louisville Slugger has used different oval center brands in their history. By identifying the center label, trade marks, and patens you can narrow down the year to what era the bat was made.

For example: a bat made between 1916 - 1929 will have HILLERERICH & BRADSBY Co in the center label as opposed to J.F. HILLERERICH & SON Co as the bats made before. TRADE MARK REG US PAT OFF appears below the oval and changed to TRADE MARK REG in 1930.