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CIRCA
- 1903-1907
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MANUFACTURER
- Spallding
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PRICE GUIDE
- $300.- $500.00
Very Good -
Excellent Condition
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Because of rarity and the lack of a sales history, value is estimated based on similar models |
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The Sears, Roebuck & Co. Natural Grip
baseball bat first appears in the Sears
1903 catalog. Listed as model "No.
6K6914, The Natural Grip or Bunter Bat,
the favorite professional bat. Made
from finest Michigan second growth
white ash, flame burnt finish, highly
polished. No better bat made at any
price. Length, 33 and 34 inches.
Weight, about 2-3/4 ponds.
Price....57¢."
The Sears, Roebuck & Co. branding was used until about 1907. From 1908
until 1961 Sears, Roebuck & Company
sold a wide variety of sporting goods,
under the brand name "J. C. Higgins."
John Higgins was the manager of the
headquarters' office bookkeepers, and
consented to Sears use of his name for
a new line of sporting goods. Since he
did not have a middle initial, Sears
added the "C."
As documented by catalogs Louisville Slugger produced the baseball bats with
the J.C. Higgins brand from
1908, until 1961 when Sears introduced
the Ted Williams brand of sporting and
recreation good.
The "Natural Grip" (mushroom knob) on the Sears bat was patented by A.G.
Spalding & Bros. in 1903. The knob was
designed to provide a bat that was
properly balanced, and therefore easier
for a player to manipulate. The
Spalding patent was applied for in
1903, and the J.F. Hillerich & Son
company came out with the "Ball
Balanced" baseball bat in 1905,
suggesting that Spalding produced the
Sears, Roebuck & Co. baseball bat.
The Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog ad
also mentions the bats were "made from
finest Michigan second growth white
ash." Spalding had a bat manufacturing
plant in Hastings, Michigan.
When Sears switched to the J.C. Higgins brand made by Louisville Slugger
in 1908, the model number was change to
6H6904, and "Natural Grip" was changed
to "Choke Grip," a term meaning choking
up on the bat.
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Sears Roebuck & Co.
Natural Grip baseball bat |
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Sears Roebuck & Co. Natural Grip baseball bat |
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KEYMAN COLLECTIBLES
RELATED RESOURCES |
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