Ted Williams model w154?

[cobb]

I recently saw a bat with w154 stamped into the knob. I know Williams used a w155 and even a w153, but no record of w154. Is the w154 a Williams creation that he just never ordered or is it some other players model? Also, what is the barrel size of the o1? Would it be possible for someone to explain the progression and different specifications of his main models from the o1-w148-w155-w166-w183? Thank you

[MSpecht]

Here is some background on both other players' model bats used (and modified) by Ted and new models ordered and manufactured to his specifications.

During the period from 1937 through 1943, Williams used bats that had been manufactured to the specifications of a variety of players, including Mike Higgins, Rogers Hornsby, Red Kress, Joe Cronin, and others. During that period, bats were identified by the player who had specified the original design and the date of its first manufacture, such as Joe Cronin's 5-2-39. If a modification was subsequently made by a player, in this case Ted Wiilliams, to the Cronin bat, it would be thereafter generally be identified in the records as His (Ted Williams') Joe Cronin 5-2-39.

On 8/9/1940 Williams placed his first order for a bat manufactured to the specifications of Lefty O'Doul on 6-2-33. Williams ordered this model bat exclusively through 7/21/1943, with occasional personal specifications of weight, type of grain, etc. In 1946 when Williams returned from WWII, the model numbering system had been put into place at H & B. The Lefty O'Doul 6-2-33 had been assigned model number O1, and all of Williams' orders through 1946 were recorded as orders for "His O1."

From that point forward, modifications and 'new models' requested by Williams are pretty easy to ascertain. On 4/14/47 a new model using an O'Doul (O1) barrel and McBride (R43) handle was made for Williams. The model was never recorded as "he didn't like them and got another new model." The new model, made off of Williams' "standard model" which was the O'Doul O1 with Williams' modifications was given model number W148. From that point forward, the following models are documented as having been made to Williams specifications as follows:
6/3/48 - Model Made W153
8/20/48 Off Model Sent In W155 (it is possible that this model was manufactured as early as 7/20/48
9/11/50 Model Made W165 -- W155 barrel / H43 handle
9/20/50 Model Made W166 -- "use right barrel."
4/26/51 Model Made W167 -- W166 barrel / G69L handle
7/31/53 Model Made W176 -- M110 barrel / W166 handle
5/25/55 Model Made W183 -- S180 handle / W166 knob
4/11/57 Model Made W197 -- W183 barrel / K55 handle
7/20/60 Model Made W214 -- model sent in use barrel with W183 handle
9/1/60 (?) Model Made W215 -- S215 barrel / K55 handle

To your specific questions, It is likely that the barrel size of the O1 is consistent with the W148, which is indexed at 35 inches with the barrel calibrated at 2 and 1/2 inches at its widest point, descending to 2 and 17/32 inches at the barrel end.

Relative to model W154, it is possible that, although not identified in Williams' records specifically, either in the handwritten record card or the index drawings, the model was made and discarded as it did not represent Williams' specifications . It is also possible, and more likely given the above, that a model was made for another player whose last name began with the letter W between 6/3/48 (the manufacture date of W153) and 7/20/48 (earliest possible W155 manufacture date, but may be as late as 8/20/48).

Good Luck

Mike Jackitout7@aol.com

[MSpecht]

Hi-- I accidentally deleted an email entitled "Williams Bat Models" that ended up in my spam folder.... if whoever sent the recent email please resend, I will respond asap. Thanks.
Mike Jackitout7@aol.com