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Belknap Hardware
& MFG. Co. Baseball Bats |
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Item Details |
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MANUFACTURING PERIOD
1907-1985
MANUFACTURER
Belknap Hardware & MFG.
Co.
Louisville, KY.
Information
Provided by:
Keymancollectibles.com
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The Belknap Hardware & Mfg Co.,
wholesale hardware supply co. was
established in 1840. They began by
producing iron products, such as horse
and mule shoes, nails, spikes and other
forged items in a small shop. Since
1890 their catalog included a line of
sporting goods that included baseball
gloves, and Bats, that were made by
other manufacturers. Because of the
list of player endorsements, and being
located in Louisville KY., the Bats
were most likely manufactured by
Hillerich & Bradsby Co. Louisville
Slugger. Belknap also carried a line of
Louisville Slugger Baseball bats in
their catalog.
Their catalog of items grew from 100 to over 75,000 over the years. Blue
Grass was one of the brand labels and
along with many other items the line of
baseball bats were branded under that
name. After 140 years of doing Business
Belknap filed for bankruptcy in 1985,
and the company went out of business in
1986.
Baseball Bats featuring the "Belknap" script logo with
LOUISVILLE" in print uppercase letters
below, and the model No. above date to
about 1954 and earlier. Model numbers
include; N0. L 50 "Leader," No. P100
"Professional" The center brand oval
with "Belknap HD & MFG. Co." above
"HOME RUN" and the model number below,
(pictured below) might date to about
1952-1954, when in 1952 Belknap filed
for a trademark on the "Blue Grass"
Brand. The "Blue Grass" trademark was
registered on April, 27, 1954. Further
research is needed to accurately date
these labels.
The Line of Blue Grass branded
baseball bats date to about 1954 and after.
models include; "Approved
Little League" with the model
"No. BGL" Player
endorsements, in block print uppercase
letters include; ED MATHEWS, AL KALINE,
and MICKEY MANTLE. The "Professional"
line of baseball bats were designated
with the model "No. BGB"
and included
player endorsements, in block
print uppercase letters; JACKIE
ROBINSON, MICKEY MANTLE, FRANK
ROBINSON, ROBERTO CLEMENTE, AL KALINE,
PETE ROSE, and CARLOS MAY. The full
list of player endorsements coincides
with players that signed with
Louisville Slugger. Belknap "Official
Softball" Blue Grass baseball
bats with the model No. BGS,
and did not have a player endorsement.
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MORE PHOTOS |
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| Belknap Hardware Mfg Co.
Blue Grass No. BGL "Little
League" Baseball Bat |
Belknap Hardware Mfg Co.
Blue Grass No. BGB
"Professional" Baseball Bat |
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| Belknap Script Logo Baseball
Bat |
Belknap HW & MFG. Co.
Baseball bat |
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