Vintage Baseball Glove Forum

How common were they? I've seen a few the last 6 months on ebay, yet when I checked the catalogs on the glove collector website I couldn't find pics of those model numbers with buckle webs. Are these alterations or was the buckle web an option on some models?

The catchers mitts with buckle webs were pretty common. The manufacturers catalog information is incomplete so every year is not represented. Take the Spalding"Collegiate" model recently on ebay. The model 6/0 was available as a laced web for most of its run but there it is on ebay as a buckle web. The pre-1920 catalogs show a laced web, but the post 1920 catalog info is spotty and no listing is found. I believe Carmi is correct about the 1923-26 period for that particular buckle web mitt. I haven't seen the buckle web listed as an option in a catalog descriptions. I could be wrong about that though. The rivet attachment of the buckle web is pretty specialized. The only thing I have seen is one year a particular model will be offered as a laced web and the next as a buckle web and then back to a laced web after that.

I have a Reach 31 catcher's mitt with buckle web and it is in the A.J. Reach catalog from 1921 on The Glove Collector's website. The catalog doesn't call it a buckle web, but says that thumb is adjustable by means of strap and buckle device. I tried to post pics of my glove but my file size might be too big, and unsure as how to transfer a pic from the catolog onto this site, sorry.
Dan

if you check out the Spalding 1925 catalog, there is a good image of the Spalding 6/0 mitt, with the buckle web. Should be available in the catalog library.
If not there, let me know and i can forward a copy.
cb

I don't think you guys are on the right track with what Phillip is asking. Phillip, are you talking about catchers mitts?

JD

Catcher and base mitts. I've just noticed several the last 6 months on ebay that I couldn't find in the catalogs, or models that I did find that had a pic of a simple laced web. Of course there are catalogs missing from most of the brands. I suppose a model number could be laced web some years and buckle web in others? After some of the shenanigans in the Legendary auctions it got me wondering if a buckle web was something some people might try to add to enhance the value.

There are definitely many base mitts and catchers mitts that feature a buckle web. Spalding and Reach have been mentioned but Stall & Dean, Wilson and others made hem as well. The feature seemed to die out in the late 1920's/early 1930's - guessing the depression had a part to play in it.

Here are some catalog images of the 6/0 mitt.

1915, as a laced web

1925, as a buckle web

1926, back as a laced web