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After leaving school which he attended
in Owosso, Michigan, James N. Zimmerman
was employed by the M. Wood Company, a
handle factory where he learned the
woodworking trade. After a few years
with the Wood company, he started in
business for himself, and at one time
or another he had factories in several
Michigan cities. He operated a factory
in Alabama for a short time, then
returned to Michigan where he started a
handle factory in Birmingham.
In 1896, Zimmerman, took over the property of a failed business in
Birmingham. His products were axe
handles, neck yokes, dumbbells, Indian
clubs, Billy clubs, whiffle trees and
baseball bats. The plant furnished
employment for 6 or 7 men. In 19O5,
Zimmerman brought the equipment of his
Birmingham factory, to Owosso and
founded the Zimmerman Manufacturing
Company, which for a number of years
manufactured bats and handles for axes,
hammers and other tools.
Known as the Zimmerman Bat Co., the business Incorporated in 1920, as the Zimmerman MFG
Co. The bat business was purchased by
the Louisville Slugger Company, and
Zimmerman continued to manufacture
handles of various kinds and special
turnings. When the contract with
Louisville Slugger ran out, Zimmerman
began making bats for the local market
Zimmerman baseball bats made in Birmingham Michigan are dated to
1896-1904. Models include; Clipper, Cyclone,
League, Lifter, and Professional. Baseball Bats
made in Owosso, are dated to 1905-1920.
The bats were made with the same
"Zimmerman's" ornate branding, and in
addition, crossed bat brandings were
used.
The "J.N. Zimmerman" cross bat
branding was a safe Hit model with
a Christy Mathewson signature
endorsement. This bat might have
been made after Zimmerman signed a
contract with Louisville Slugger in
1920. In 1930, Zimmerman moved his
business to Corunna, and
manufactured handles and bats. Any
Zimmerman bat marked "Corunna",
would have been manufactured in
1930 or after. James N. Zimmerman
past away on Oct. 14, 1937, at the
age of 77.
There are baseball bats with the "M.A.
Zimmerman" Tecumseh Mich." branding. Models
include "Professional," and "Defiance."
The company was a manufacturer of
hickory handles, and axe handles,
since 1896, and is listed In The
Sporting Goods Trade directory as a
supplier of sporting goods, as late
as 1922. The relationship between
Martin A. Zimmerman and James N.
Zimmerman is unknown
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