Wagon Tongue Baseball Bat

Wagon Tongue baseball bats were common to the mid to Late 19th century. Bat makers made baseball bats from wagon tongues that had been used for covered wagons. Later bats using the “wagon tongue” name were made from ash wood and not reclaimed hickory wagon parts. Given the catalog designation No. 000 and 3/0, Wagon Tongue baseball bats were a popular line sold by A.G. Spalding & Bros.

As stated in Spalding's 1891 catalog; "In our Special Black and Wagon Tongue bat, we introduce a patented rough handle, enabling the batsman to secure a firmer grasp on the bat. All the Spalding Wagon Tongue are made from models of the actual bats used by the most skillful batsman in the League and Association." The first generation of the No. 000 Wagon Tongue bats have "Pat. App'd For" to the left of the Spalding trademark logo. This patent is for the granulated handle, AKA "roughened handle," or "combed handle." The "black end" portion of the bat reads "strike this way of grain."

Later 3/0 Wagon Tongue bats sold into the 1900's have a smaller, double border Spalding trademark logo. The bat featured a "burnt end," with the handle roughened by the patented process. By 1906 the No. 3-0 Wagon Tongue was made available with "Spotted Burning." A process or method to harden the wood by the application of friction and heat applied to the bat While it is still in the turning-lathe and rotated at a high speed.

Spalding No. 000 Wagon Tongue Baseball Bat

1891 Spalding No. 000 Wagon Tongue Baseball Bat Catalog Illustration


Spalding No. 000 Wagon Tongue Baseball Bat	Spalding Wagon Tongue Black End "STRIKE THE WAY OF THE GRAIN"

1902 Spalding No. 3/0 Wagon Tongue baseball Bat

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