Rawlings Snider Playmaker 77

[Hodges14]

I am new to the site and this is my first post but have been reading off and on for about six months. What a great site. My first post is kind of like standing up in class and introducing yourself to a new group and you‘re a nervous.
I would like some information about a glove I have (same as my very first glove I’m pretty sure). I have a Rawlings PM 77 Duke Snider three finger glove. In looking at the Vintage Baseball Glove Catalog Source Book (Playmakers start in 1948 and end in 1959) there are no Rawlings Playmakers with a number higher than 35 with no sig/auto and only to 32 with sig. (Hatfield and Jackson). I have a picture when I was 10 (1957) with the glove on. I have a Rawlings 1957 and 1958 Spring and Summer Equipment catalog and it seems very similar to the PML model with the Stan Musial on it. Mine is definitely on the low end of this model, it has no patch, and no other lacing in the palm of the glove, but does have a single “X” holding the wed to the crotch of the glove. The palm of the inside of the glove looks kind of like a cream color and seems to be some kind of vinyl look, not leather. After I started this, I just noticed a Rawlings Snider PM20 on ebay and again it isn’t listed in any of the Rawlings books.
Did they produce Rawlings Playmakers that weren’t put in the catalogs? I know that Snider endorsed other Rawlings gloves but they are four finger gloves. Did Rawlings own the patent to the three finger glove and let others use it, or was Rawlings just purchasing the rights from who ever held the patent. I would appreciate any information you can give me on Playmakers and the Snider three finger glove. I look forward to being a part of this interesting and informative group.

[softball66]

I'll tell you that your Snider 3 finger Playmaker is a rare bird. And yes, all the companies made those "little" anomaly gloves, that sneak up on us, and are not catalogued. I think there have been some other PMs with player names not listed in their catalog as well. Could have been a variety of reasons for this at the company.
Wilson, with its "Ball Hawk 3" came out about the same time as Rawlings with 3 finger versions. Not sure who had the patents or if they had patents on each company's particular version. Don't believe there was ever a problem with copying the 3 finger style, as soon many others had 3 finger styles.
I can look up a little info on the Playmakers when it was introduced by Rawlings if you'd like and mail it to you.
Welcome aboard the Glove Boat by the way!!!
This is Joe at TGC