X in the model number?

[quaz95]

i know this has been covered before but i search and 1500 matchs, made it to page 5 and gave up sorry, anyway i just bought a hutch that is in great shape. other then a oiled pocket, the model number is 44X al dark model, mint patch, mint button, is this a pro issue glove i will put pics up this afternoon.

Thank
john

[okdoak]

From looking in Joe's Catalog Source Book, my guess is that it's not a pro issue. The 1956 catalog listing shows five models with the X behind the model number, so I'd guess that it was a retail glove. Believe me, I am no expert at this sort of thing, though. Maybe one of our more knowledgeable members can give you a definitive answer. Sounds like a great glove, though. I have a couple of Hutch gloves from the '40s. Really well made with what feels like especially thick leather.

[softball66]

Not sure why Hutch put the "X" after this glove model number. As "OKdoak "has pointed out, it's not believed that this indicates a professional level glove.
Now Rawlings did use the "X" after the model letters in its top-level gloves in the 1950s, i.e. BDX, MCX etc. to denote pro stock gloves. "X" also stood for experimental for Rawlings such as the XPG series when it came out in the late 1950s but here the "X" preceded the rest of the model letters . "X" has been used for years as experimental prototypes, especially noted in aircraft designs.
Wilson also used an "X" after some of its 1940s models if I remember correctly and "x's' have shown up on other glove models as well.

[quaz95]

here's some pics: if anybody is interested in the glove send me a pm. its a al dark model

[edingc]

I have a Hutch 33X that I'm pretty sure was a kids glove because of the size. I'm not sure that the X means anything.

[murphusa]

in latter years Rawlings and other manufactures stamped "BLEM" on the gloves