1880-1898 Catchers Mask Dating Guide

The first Catcher's masks were used in 1875, were heavy, clumsy and impleaded the sight of the catcher. The first retail catchers mask was made available by Spalding in 1877. Leather or and Canvas head straps are used to secure the mask to the head, chin and forehead for support. Hair stuffed side padding is used to cushion the face. The frames are made with a simple loop & clip wire construction. The first masks resemble Birdcages worn over the face. Manufactures start to develop designs to make the masks lighter, allow better vision for the catcher, and add more strength and better protection. Features such as the Neck Protector, "Goggle Eyes" (Spiderman masks), Sunshades, and black enamel coated steel wire is offered on the retail market.

Visual Glossary


First Catchers Mask Patent 1878 "Birdcage" style	Circa 1890-1910s Goggles "Spiderman" style catchers mask with Neck Protector	Circa 1880's Birdcage Style Catcher's Mask

The Dating of a catcher's mask could prove to be a difficult task. Construction styles and features could have been used for many years after they were introduced. For example the Catcher's Mask with the neck protector pictured in the visual glossary was sold from about 1890 into the 1910's. There are only slight differences between some years. Imported dogskin (yes dogskin) was used to house the padding when this masked first hit the market. Other material used for padding might date the mask to a later date. This model was also sold with a sunshade, but was not available before 1907. Masks with bright steel wires were sold before the black enameled wire was offered in 1896, to cut down on glare, but the bright steel wire masks were still available afterwards. Loop & clip construction gave out to Electric weld in 1911.


Loop & Clip Construction "Goggle Eye" catchers mask	Catchers Mask constructed with Electric Weld introduced in 1911	"Wide Sight" eye space starts replacing Goggle eyes in 1912

These are the type of things to look for when dating a mask. Elastic head straps were not available until 1907. The construction methods are another tool for dating a mask. The loop & clip construction was used throughout the 1800's. Starting in 1911 Electric weld was used to construct the masks. Electric weld masks cannot date before 1911 but the loop & clip method was still used into the early 1920's. If you have a Loop & clip mask with an elastic head strap it was made in 1907 or later.

Basically the main features with masks, excluding the 1880's, but dated to the 1890-1899 manufacturing period are; Goggles or "Spiderman" eye space, Loop & Clip construction, Side pads with leather forehead and chin straps, and no elastic used with the head strap.

Because it is easier to date a mask to the era when a feature was available I have listed a timeline below. You might be able to use unique features on your mask that overlap other features to narrow down the date. I have also included catalog images so you can match styles and construction characteristics like a fingerprint.

Catchers Mask Timeline

1877 Spalding introduces the first retail Catcher's mask
1891 Spalding introduces a Patented Molded Leather "Sunshade"
1907 Reach introduces Elastic Head Straps
1911 D&M introduces Electric Welded steel wire construction
1912 Reach introduces "Wide Sight" frame construction Spalding
1914 Reach introduces "The Spitter" hole

1880-1899 Catchers Mask Catalog Samples & Patents


1880-1883 Spalding's Official Base Ball Guide	1892 Reach's Official Base Ball Guide	1892 Spaldings Official Base Ball Guide	1896 Spalding's Official Base Ball Guide


1883 Catchers Mask Patent 2 piece hinged frame	1887 Catchers Mask Patent for inflatable cushions	1887 Catchers Mask Patent forehead & chin straps	1899 Catchers Mask Patent adjustable side pads


1890's Catchers Mask	1880's Catchers Masks	1890's Catchers Mask