Can anyone provide info about Kren's bats? I see them on eBay from time to time, but know little about their history, years manufactured, whether or not used by professionals, etc. Any feeback would be appreciated.
Thanks, John

Kren's manufactured both pro and store model bats from the late teens through the 40s. Your bat is a pro model (IMO), most of which had a stamped block letter name. I don't know much more than that, but there have been articles written on the MEARS site over the years.

Mike, I agree. The bat is most likely a pro, game used model. Many of the Kren bats that come up for sale are store models, not game used. The majority of the signature endorsed models and the "Style" model are store bats. Even some of the top auction houses get it wrong. On these types of bats I would be very careful to make sure they are game used.

Yes, look for the "hand turned" on the label if you want a pro model.

Mark, I don't know if I would agree. I have several store model Kren bats with "Hand Turned" inside the Kren diamond logo. Also, I have purchased about 10 Kren game used bats from Art Jaffey's Louisville Slugger purchase. These bats either have mailing labels or side writing. All of those bats had a Model # and not Hand Turned inside the diamond. I have two Kren catalogs and they have Hand Turned store models as well. A Hand Turned Kren bat can be a gamer, but it's not always true.

I'd love to see some pictures of the Kren catalogs if you would share.

I also thing the bat is a gamer.
Matt

Absent side writing, I wouldn't assume that I have a pro model bat without it. I would like to see the catalog that lists store model bats with that phrase on the label. Do you happen to recall which player models of retail bats have that designation?

The pictures in the catalogs don't show the details inside the diamond logo. I have a two Dick Porter Kren bats with hand turned on them and they appeared in one of my catalogs as a store model. Here's a list of the Kren Autograph Models from the late 1930's:

Rip Collins
Joe Glenn
Dick Porter
Otis Miller
John Pasek
Art Veltman
Joe Benes
Ray Kennedy
Jim Jolley
Ray Meuller
George Detore
Eddie Mooers
Art Hord
Wm. Eisemann

Alot of these bats come up for sale as game used since the players are so obscure. Many of these names never made it to the majors. Again, so much of the history is unknown and may never be know. You really have to be careful when purchase one that is stated to be game used.

John - These are all game used Kren's that originated from the Louisville Slugger Vault find. The labels are all over the board - hand turned, model 400, model 104HW (Hack Wilson model), no model numbers, etc. The majority are side written but a few are not, however, they all came from the LSV find.

I have lots of others if you have questions about labeling.

Sorry - here are the pics...