WANT
TO CONTRIBUTE AN ITEM TO BE CATALOGED? Click Here
Louisville
Slugger Bat Dating
Hillerich
& Bradsby Co. has used different oval center brands
in their history. Below are the ovals from different
eras of bats. You can match these with the logo on your
bat to get an approximate date for your Louisville
Slugger bat.
CENTER: J.F. HILLERERICH
& SON Co
___ . ___
BOTTOM: LOUISVILLE K.Y.
OUTSIDE OVAL BOTTOM
TRADE MARK REG US PAT OFF
1916
- 1929 Top:
LOUISVILLE
SLUGGER
125
CENTER: HILLERERICH
& BRADSBY Co
MADE IN USA
BOTTOM: LOUISVILLE K.Y.
OUTSIDE OVAL BOTTOM
TRADE MARK REG US PAT OFF
1930
- 1947 Top:
LOUISVILLE
SLUGGER
125
CENTER: HILLERERICH
& BRADSBY Co
MADE IN USA
BOTTOM: LOUISVILLE K.Y.
OUTSIDE OVAL BOTTOM
TRADE MARK REG
1948
- 1963 Top:
LOUISVILLE
SLUGGER
125
CENTER: HILLERERICH
& BRADSBY Co
MADE IN USA
BOTTOM: LOUISVILLE K.Y.
OUTSIDE OVAL BOTTOM
REG US PAT OFF
1964
- 1980 Top:
LOUISVILLE
SLUGGER
125
CENTER: HILLERERICH
& BRADSBY Co
MADE IN USA
BOTTOM: LOUISVILLE K.Y.
1973
Registered Trade Mark
first appears over the d in Powerized
1980
- 2000s Top:
125
CENTER: LOUISVILLE
SLUGGER
BOTTOM: LOUISVILLE, KENTUKY
MADE IN USA
Some
bats have an H&B brand in the oval trademark,
rather than Louisville Slugger. The H&B brand
denotes a lower grade and lower priced retail bat. These
bats were produced from the 1920s through the 1970s.
NOTE:
Flame
Tempered is a process of drying and hardening the
wood with lower grade baseball bats. If your bat reads
"Flame tempered it is a store model bat. "Powerized"
is used on higher grade bats, and professional models.
"Bone Rubbed"
is a process to harden the surface of the bat and
appears on bats made in the 1920s
1931
The
"Powerized" process was first used, and patented by the
Hillerich & Bradsby Co. in 1931 and has pat. pending
beneath the stamp.
1932
"Powerized
and Bone Rubbed" logo is used during the 1932 season.
1933 - 1934
In
1933 and 1934 you will see it stamped "Powerized
and Oil Tempered" which usually is a very light
heat foil type print.
in 1935 until present,
they go with just "Powerized" The Powerized"
process is to harden the surface of the bat much like
the bone rubbed finish of the 1920's
Baseball Drills -We offer a world class
baseball and softball drill books, DVD's, videos and
pitching instructions for baseball and softball players
of all ages. Buy
online now!
