Vintage Baseball Glove Forum

Hey everyone--

My apologies here for beating a dead horse. I'm only a day or so away from pulling the trigger on my dream glove-- a USA HOH model based on my RGB36 Dale Murphy. I'm still debating one thing-- the exact size.

I think the size of the RGB36 DM is absolutely perfect for me, but I am finding conflicting measurements all over the net about the size of this glove-- some say 11", some say 12", etc. I'm not exactly sure of the correct way to measure my own glove-- tape across the palm or over the back of the glove. Each way yields a different measurement. I'll only have one shot at this measurement, so I want to make sure I get it right. Would any members who have the same glove be kind enough to post the measurement so I'll know how close mine is? I'm not sure if these gloves were made in different measurements, so that info would be helpful as well.

Once again, please accept my sincerest apologies for beating this horse even more. I really appreciate the time you folks take to help a newbie like me. Also, when I can, would it be appropriate to post pictures of both my glove and the new one (when it arrives)?

John C.

pharmboycu said:

would it be appropriate to post pictures of both my glove and the new one (when it arrives)?

Appropriate!? How about required! You better post pictures!

that's right, talking about your glove means very little to the glove addicts, pix are worth a thousand......(dollars?) haha

This is something that I would love to have DocGlove/Bob chip in on! My understanding of glove sizes is this:

The measurement refers to a "pattern size". Imagine making this measurement when the leather is still in a flat sheet- before it is cut, shaped, sewn and formed into a glove.

Glove pattern sizes are "nominal" sizes- that is, not a precise measurement, but rather a close one. Think of buying a piece of 2 X 4 lumber- it will never measure exactly 2 inches by 4 inches.

As the glove is cut and put together, you might lose a couple fractions of an inch from the size that the flat pattern was cut from the leather. I've measured gloves that were as much as 1/2" off from the size stamped on the glove. And every manufacturer seems to measure a little bit differently.

The generally accepted method for measuring a glove is to use a flexible rule or tape, start at the top of the index finger on the front of the glove, run the tape down along the finger beside webbing, through the palm, until it hits the wrist opening. Keep the tape tight against the glove surface, following the curves and contours. This will approximate taking the measurement on a flat piece of leather before the pattern is cut.

I thought that all of the RBG36 gloves were 12.5" patterns. I know that the ones I have are, and the newer ones I've seen in recent years were stamped with that size. Possibly, they were 12" in the earlier years- I don't think that sizes were stamped on these gloves until around the early 1990's.

Hope that helps! I would still be curious to hear from a pro like Bob C. how this pattern size is determined and measured by the major glovemakers.

Both my OR 520 Dale Murphy RBG36 Dale Murphy clones (confused, some?) measure almost exactly 12" when measured as BretMan has described above. However, like you I have seen RBG36's advertised as everything from 11.5" to 13" on eBay. Measure yours carefully and go from there.

And I don't see why you think you are beating a dead horse. Lots of folks here have the same kinds of questions about the same kinds of gloves and don't mind a bit talking about them over and over again!

ok here goes( Knuckles popping) the measuremet starts at the tip of the index finger in a straight line down the middle of said finger to the heel. This is in the cut leather stage. With the thought that what is lost in the welting the finger tip would be added back when putting the roll binding around the bottom. some small factors that could come into play is if it is a very soft piece of leather the lenght of the finger could grow a small amount. on the other hand when the sewn glove is turned right side out it is then stretched over a 200+ plus degree metal hand to iron out the shape.this is very diffcult and results more than a few burn scars on the glove makers arms, But what the heck don't do beauty pagents any more. ok back to lesson , its very easy to fail to get the gloves full lenght pushed out. Resulting in some measureing a bit short. But in the past no one quibbled or a 1/4 to 1/2 inche ( no even my wife)
so there you have it gloves 101
Bob