Jim Gilliam Bat Records

[MGHProductions]

Hi,
Do you have any info on Gilliam bats available. In particular, M117 from 50-60.
Thanks
Matt

[MSpecht]

Hi Matt--

M117 are among the earliest Gilliam bats shipped. They are fiund only in 1953 (35" / 32 oz....first signature model) and 1952 (34.5' / 32 and 33 oz.....35' / 32 oz).

Gilliams first ML game was 4/14/53, so any 35 inch M117 would be a Minor League bat, and a 34.5 inch M117 could be from his last order in 1952 or his first order in 1953....

Interestingly, Gilliam never ordered that model again after early 1953.

Good luck

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

[MGHProductions]

Mike.
Thanks for the info.

The bat measures a little over 34 1/4 but not 34 1/2.. Is there any way to date the bat to the early 50's opposed to a later possible team index bat by the markings at all?

Thanks
Matt

[MGHProductions]

Mike.
In your post, do you have the dates backwards. Were 34.5 ordered in 1953 or 52?
Thanks
Matt

[MSpecht]

Hi Matt-- Thanks for catching that somewhat confusing post...

There is an acceptable variance of + .25 inches that is common to most authenticators, so the length is acceptable. To attempt to date your bat more specifically within the 1950-1960 labeling period, look at the lettering of the word "GENUINE" and the words "LOUISVILLE SLUGGER" on the barrel label. In general, the more square the lettering, the earlier in the labeling period the bat was manufactured. Samples can be seen in the book BATS on page 34 . If that is not available, perhaps you can post a picture of the center and barrel labeling on the bat and get feedback, or email me a photo of the labeling to the address below and I will try to help further.

HERE IS THE CORRECTED POST:



M117 batsare among the earliest Gilliam bats shipped. They are fiund only in 1951 (35" / 32 oz.(first signature model) , 1952 (34.5" / 33 oz and 35"/ 32 oz). and 1953 (34.5" / 32 oz);

Gilliam's first ML game was 4/14/53, so any 35 inch M117 would be a Minor League bat (pre-rookie), and a 34.5 inch M117 could be from his last order in 1952 or his first order in 1953....

Interestingly, Gilliam never ordered that model again after early 1953.

Good luck

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

[MGHProductions]

Mike.
Here are some photos. Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks again,
Matt

[MSpecht]

Hi Matt--

The labeling and font characteristics place the manufacture of this bat in the early part of the 1950's, which is consistent with Gilliam's H & B factory records. The length of this bat would then place the manufacture at either the second half of the 1953 Montreal (Minor League) season or the very early part of Gilliam's 1954 rookie season with the Brooklyn Dodgers. The bat also could have been carried over by Gilliam from 1953 to 1954.

A vintage marker number on the knob appears to be 35, which would generally be presumed to be a uniform number. Gilliam wore Number 19 throughout his career with the Dodgers (per Baseball Almanac), and no one on the Dodgers roster during that period wore Number 35 until the second half of 1954. I do not know what uniform number Gilliam wore in Montreal in 1953. The number appears to be placed over a red/pink colored paint which may have been used as an identifying mark in itself, or may have been used to cover a previously applied number (19?). It is difficult to tell without physical examination.

Regardless, this bat clearly matches Junior Gilliam's H & B factory records as outlined above, and as such, is a professional model Louisville Slugger baseball bat, manufactured for the professional use of Jim Gilliam during the 1953 and/or 1954 seasons, with professional use that can be presumably attributed to Jim Gilliam with possible subsequent use by a second professional player. This is a great bat from the Brooklyn Dodgers "The Boys of Summer" era..

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com