Rare Stan Musial bat
Just acquired this rare Stan Musial contract-model bat from 1961. Most collectors know that Musial had a contract with H&B in the 1940s, but after 1950ish, nearly all of his bats had "MUSIAL MODEL" in block letters (or sometimes "MUSIAL STYLE"). However, there was one order of 12 bats in early 1961 that were made with his updated signature. That signature style eventually appeared on hundreds of replica bats, but only 12 gamers are known to have it. Can't find any distinctive seam imprints or ink transfer, but there are rack scrapes and other marks on the barrel that suggest possible light use. Regardless, just happy to have a Musial bat with this signature. Have only seen one other -- at the Louisville Slugger Museum (photo at bottom of post).

Just acquired this rare Stan Musial contract-model bat from 1961. Most collectors know that Musial had a contract with H&B in the 1940s, but after 1950ish, nearly all of his bats had "MUSIAL MODEL" in block letters (or sometimes "MUSIAL STYLE"). However, there was one order of 12 bats in early 1961 that were made with his updated signature. That signature style eventually appeared on hundreds of replica bats, but only 12 gamers are known to have it. Can't find any distinctive seam imprints or ink transfer, but there are rack scrapes and other marks on the barrel that suggest possible light use. Regardless, just happy to have a Musial bat with this signature. Have only seen one other -- at the Louisville Slugger Museum (photo at bottom of post).


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