Hillerich & Bradsby (Louisville Slugger)
The labeling of Hillerich & Bradsby bats has changed many, many times since 1897. Still, there are a few key features that differentiate pro model game bats from store model bats.
In general, a pro bat must have "125" in the center label. If it has another number, such as "40 BR" or "125 LL," it almost certainly is a store bat. A pro bat also probably says, "Powerized" right of the oval; if it says "Flame Tempered," it's a store bat. If the knob has a number ("35" or "5") or a combination such as "RC 4" stamped into it, the bat is from the store. H&B stamped pro model numbers into the knob until 1976; after that, nothing would be stamped into the knob. Professional ash bats have deep branding; store bats generally are foil stamped. Finally, pro bats have high-quality wood, while their retail counterparts often use inferior wood.
Once you have an idea whether your bat is a pro model or a store model, the next step is to identify the era the bat was used. Through the years, many collectors have researched bat markings and bat ordering records, trying to determine which markings were used in different years. While there typically is no perfect way to date a bat, there are general guidelines collectors can use. On this site, guidelines for H&B pro model bats have been divided into three dating periods:
