High-grade Babe Ruth signed game-used bat matching factory records and displaying outstanding Ruth characteristics.

Bat graded GU 9 by PSA, with PSA also certifying the signature as "Authentic." 

Babe Ruth H&B pro-model bat (pre-dating model numbers listed on bats) dating from the 1928 to 1930 manufacturing period. Graded GU 9 by PSA. Ruth has signed the bat in black fountain pen (grading 8/10) on the sweet spot of the barrel. As was customary for Ruth when signing bats, a portion of the barrel in the area of his signature was slightly sanded to better facilitate the transfer of ink to wood and avoid the grain line. 

A Babe Ruth signed game used bat is the ultimate prize for any Ruth collector, especially a high-grade example, such as this. As noted in the accompanying PSA LOA, which can be viewed in its entirety on our website, the white hickory bat, measuring 35.375 inches in length and weighing 42.4 ounces, is not cracked and shows evidence of excellent use. Several ball marks are visible on the barrel, as are red bat-rack marks, cleat marks, and a tiny remnant of a shipping label. One of the most important aspects of the bat is a left-barrel contact area, which is defined by a darkened grain from repeated ball contact. PSA explains that Ruth used a "label-down" grip, resulting in ball contact on the left barrel, which is a characteristic found on all well documented Ruth bats, including this example. 

The dating of the bat was determined by PSA through the combination of the unique center-brand stamping, which dates to 1928-1931, its composition (white hickory), and an examination of Ruth's H&B factory records. Those records show that Ruth ordered white hickory bats, matching the offered bat's specifications, between the years 1928 and 1930, including an order for the 1928 World Series. 

Babe Ruth game-used bats are by no means scarce, but the majority of those circulating in the market are usually cracked low-grade examples, and few are signed by Ruth. Uncracked bats, however, especially those he took the trouble to sign, were almost exclusively reserved for his close friends. As such, they are exceedingly rare, and all of the few known examples rank among the finest Ruth game-used bats in the hobby. The offered bat is no exception and is easily one of the finest Babe Ruth signed game used bats one could hope to obtain. Individual full LOAs from PSA for both the bat (GU 9) and the signature ("Authentic").