{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-army-special-services-marked-baseball-bat-by-hillerich-bradsby-co-catcher-s-glove-mitt-by-goldsmith","title":"Original U.S. WWII Army Special Services Marked Baseball Bat by Hillerich \u0026 Bradsby Co. \u0026 Catcher’s Glove Mitt by Goldsmith","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. The 1940s were a time of transition, both for this country as well as the sport of baseball. America was plunged into World War II, and with the enlistment of many \"able-bodied men\", the very face of baseball changed. Every man that enlisted in the service was given the standard set of \"Government Issue\" (G.I.) equipment: uniform, helmet, socks, T-shirts, boots.... For a time back in the 1940s, the Military also issues baseball equipment to the troops! This was endorsed by the President, who said that baseball should continue, even during time of war, to keep this Country together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an outstanding set consisting of an Army Special Services-marked “Louisville Slugger” Baseball bat and a great U.S. Army marked baseball catcher’s mitt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe baseball bat measures roughly 36” long and shows very heavy service wear. The handle has been re-wrapped in black tape for a better grip, and the cartouche in the center reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLOUISVILLE SLUGGER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e40 J.D.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHILLERICH \u0026amp; BRADSBY CO.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMADE IN U.S.A.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLOUISVILLE, K.Y.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTRADEMARK REG.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOIL TEMPERED \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also marked near the end with Joe DiMaggio’s signature under \u003cstrong\u003eSPECIAL SERVICES\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eU.S. ARMY\u003c\/strong\u003e. The bat shows extreme wear with some chipping in the wood at the handle end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mitt is marked on the strap on the back\u003cstrong\u003e U.S. ARMY\u003c\/strong\u003e and on the front with the GoldSmith logo and some manufacturer information along with an embossed signature of Elmer Riddle. The mitt has heavy wear and service use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA great set, ready for further research and display.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43439939125317,"sku":"ONJR25JYAU115","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25JYAU115__01.jpg?v=1755551192","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-army-special-services-marked-baseball-bat-by-hillerich-bradsby-co-catcher-s-glove-mitt-by-goldsmith","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}