Hiawatha - Gambles

Gambles Hardware and Auto Supply was founded in 1925 by Bertin Gamble and Philip Skogmo. In 1928, they moved their headquarters to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Gamble-Skogmo Inc. eventually became a conglomerate of retail chain stores including Department, Furniture and Toy stores. The Hiawatha Brand name was a Gambles registered trademark filed in 1949, and was used for some of their sporting good products such as outboards, fishing rods, bicycles, baseball gloves, and bats.

The Gambles baseball bats made during the 1950's feature the Hiawatha Indian head logo as the center brand with the model number at the bottom. Models include: H21 Collegian, No. 20 official diamond ball, Jackie Robinson Model, - 25SA Champion, Mickey Mantle Model, and H1 Major League Bobby Doerr Model. The 1960's baseball bat center brand feature a double bordered circle, which reads "Gambles" at the top, and "Minneapolis" at the bottom. The circle is overlapped by the word "Hiawatha" in script, sandwiched between two lines pinched at the middle, and a Star above & below in the inner circle. Models include Crackerjack No. 1901-29" (No. followed by the size of the bat), Major League No. 2735, Official Base Ball No 1913, and Official Soft Ball 2382.

The bats were most likely manufactured by the Hartwell Brothers of Memphis Tennessee, a manufacture of tool handles that also produced baseball bats. The Hartwell baseball bat center brand is identical to the Gambles baseball bat branding. (See below left column)

Hiawatha - Gambles Baseball Bats


1961 Gambles Hiawatha Baseball Bat Ad	1964 Gambles Hiawatha Baseball Bat Ad

KEYMAN COLLECTIBLES RELATED RESOURCES

	KeyMan Collectibles Baseball Memorabilia Facebook Group - Post Questions and comments relating to Baseball Collectibles and Memorabilia. Interact with other collectors or show off your collection.
	KeyMan Collectibles Network54 Forum - A great option for those that "Don't do facebook" Post Questions and comments relating to Baseball Collectibles and Memorabilia