{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-u-s-marked-softball-bat-by-hillerich-bradsby-co-army-special-services-marked-catcher-s-glove-mitt-by-rawling","title":"Original U.S. WWII U.S.-Marked Softball Bat by Hillerich \u0026 Bradsby Co. \u0026 Army Special Services-Marked Catcher’s Glove Mitt by Rawling","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 a U.S.-marked Softball bat and a great U.S. Army Special Services-marked catcher’s mitt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe softball bat measures roughly 34” long and shows very heavy service wear. The cartouche in the center reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHILLERICH \u0026amp; BRADSBY CO.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMADE IN U.S.A.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eH\u0026amp;B\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNO. 102\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLOUISVILLE, K.Y.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also marked near the end with \u003cstrong\u003eU.S. \/ SOFT-BALL.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bat shows extreme wear with some cracking in the sides as shown, but nothing terribly serious. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mitt is marked on the palm \u003cstrong\u003eSPECIAL SERVICES \/ U.S. ARMY\u003c\/strong\u003e with a \u003cstrong\u003eRAWLINGS \u003c\/strong\u003emaker mark. The mitt has heavy wear and service use, with the material wearing away heavily at the bottom edges.\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":43480499322949,"sku":"ONJR25JYAU116","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25JYAU116__01.jpg?v=1756480021","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-u-s-marked-softball-bat-by-hillerich-bradsby-co-army-special-services-marked-catcher-s-glove-mitt-by-rawling","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}