Vintage Baseball Glove Forum

Thankyou for letting me use your forum. I recently purchased this mask at an auction in Ontario Canada. I have tried to research this mask. It has no markings as to the manufacturer, but i might have narrowed it down to a Goldsmith, maybe early 1900s. Found one from a catologue from Goldsmith from 1915 but this one has the large bead welds and i am having a hard time finding others from that era. Could anyone please help me identify.

I plan on replacing the white string with leather laces and would like some kind of reference picture to see what the lacing might look like. I'm also wondering if i should paint the cage or leave it as is, any ideas?

I decided not to paint the cage(was a silly idea originally). Removed the string and replaced with leather lacing. Cleaned it up with Horseman's Onestep. The leather is in exceptional condition, still has stuffing of hair(horse or goat not sure). I still haven't been able to identify this mask, but just received a book called Antique Sports Uniforms and Equipment. Some pictures of masks made by Spalding anywhere from 1890-1900 are really close.This was such a great find for $30. Now I am looking to complete a catcher's look from around that era(mitt, shinguards, chest protector, uniform and cleats)

Wow, It looks great. I'm glad you didn't paint the cage!

Ken

Thanks Ken. I'm going to try and put some straps on the back, just trying to find some pictures of similar masks to see what i might need. I think there should be a leather strap through the forehead rest(not sure what to call it) that fastens on the sides. I don't want to change this mask, just trying to make it look presentable and somewhat useable, not that i would dare try.

I think that may be an umpire's mask, c 1910. Catcher's masks of the era would have been more oval with fragmented padding. The ump didn't take the physical abuse that the catchers did so their protective equipment tended to be more simplistic. Great find, and a nicely executed clean up job.

To be honest I think I would be a little disheartened if it were an umpire`s mask, no offence to any ump`s or collectors out there.

I thought it could be an umpire's mask too but those are cool. Don't be bummed. Umpire's masks (if that's what it is) are super cool and way rarer. Some of the neatest masks in the hobby are umpire's masks. I dig it.

JD

Hey Deebro -- don't forget the metal cup in your display!

Thanks swalt, but i'm not even going to touch that one.(literally)

I came across some Spalding guides(with help from another member) from 1910-1915, and the catchers masks models from 1911+1912 are almost a match. They are "Special Soldered" masks model 7.0. I am now certain this mask is a catcher's mask, Spalding manufacturer. Thankyou for viewing and providing me with help.
The guides i looked at were from the Library of Congress web site. The photos are remarkable(and the info too).

Hey swalt i might have found that metal cup, but thinking maybe i should use it to hold my peanuts and cracker jack.