Vintage Baseball Glove Forum

We just got in a DF1 singnature model Mantle glove, made in usa, no patch on strap rather it is embossed and it is not in the glove index, anybody have a glove catalog with this one listed for year? Looks like a low to mid range quality with the coated cloth piping but it has never been used. Thanks

Dave, I think that's a fast back (single finger) Mantle model and don't remember it being catalogued. My guess is that it was introduced in the early days of the "F" series Rawlings like XFs, say 1968, maybe earlier. Not too many of these around.
i'll see if it's mentioned in Scott's Mantle glove draft. I think there was an MMF as well. Seems I remember a very light-weight leather too.
Joe

I have one of these (cheaply made) and it is not a fastback. I wonder if was meant as a kids model or perhaps made for another retailer.

The MMF is the fast back and this DF1, if I recall correctly cause I had one, has a funky very light leather. Right like Brett says, cheaply made.
Now what did the DF-1 stand for, I wonder????

Even the MMF isn't high quality. The leather doesn't compare with earlier Rawlings hide.

It is rather inexpensive, cloth covered piping, inside wrist strap raw leather, no patch. . Little finger states "Lightweight" model. Inside the web is printed "spiral top, action anchored" and not a fastback but a standard full web, rolled top, x lace back enforced web, "deep well" pocket with r in circle under slogan. made in usa and hinged pad with laced palm. signature in center. May be inexpensive but sounds fairly scarce given it is not even catalogued and given the gem mint never used still stiff condition, will make a great mantle addition to our site. am going to list as late 60's era, not found at present in standard rawlings catalogs, maybe mail order model, sears, wards, what do you guys think? thanks, dave

Perhaps it replaced the MM9? Sounds like a similar design. If you have a photo, would love to see it, or let us know when you post it on your site.

Dave, does your glove have the Outward seems on the back? If I remember right I have a couple DF1's & kept them because the back seems were different than all the other Mantle gloves I had. I think it is about the same size as the MM6 (the Comet) but w/o the leather piping. I'll check it out this weekend but I'm sure it was a DF1 with those funky outward seems. I like that DF1 way better the the MM9's

I had always wondered if the "DF" might have stood for "diverted finger", since this model featues diverted finger (reverse welting) seams. At least, I think I've heard this type of welting refered to as diverted finger welting- does that ring a bell with anyone else?

Aside from the unusual finger welting, the shell of these gloves seems remarkably similar to the late-60's MM9 models in terms of (lower) quality leather, piping, lack of cloth path, etc.

I've never been able to find any definite info on this gloves's origin, in regards to the unusual model number or possible retailer. Several of these popped up on eBay around the beginning of December and, as I recall, sold at a premium, particularly a couple examples that looked to be unused. I couldn't find any currently for sale.

Add this one to the many Mantle models that turn up which are unaccounted for in the Rawlings catalogs. Just in recent months, I have seen several come up for sale, including a GJ333, GJ999, KM700 and a 6322 (JC Penneys), none of which are cataloged gloves.

The one I have does have the outward welting on the back of the fingers.

It does have all the outward sewn seams and construction wise, very similar to an MM9, not the MM5 as this glove seems smaller with a thinner leather construction. If they made them and sold them, someplace, there has to be a list or ad that shows them or how would anybody know to order one? Maybe this was a premium or give away model, it therefore would not have to be advertised as it wasn't something you ordered. Dave