There are baseball gloves that survive as equipment, and others that survive as witnesses. This antique Wilson Model 972M carries the endorsement of Rogers “Rajah” Hornsby—one of the greatest right-handed hitters the game has ever known. Its full five-finger pattern, open back, rolled piping and early lace web belong to an era when the modern fielder’s glove was still taking shape.

The palm retains remarkable character and strong surviving stamp work, including the Wilson branding, model number, Made in U.S.A. mark and deeply impressed “Rajah” Hornsby signature. Hornsby won seven National League batting titles, twice captured the Triple Crown and finished his career with a .358 average. His .424 mark in 1924 remains the highest National League batting average of the modern era.

This glove was gently cleaned and conditioned with preservation—not reinvention—as the goal. The failed or missing web was reconstructed in a simple period-conscious pattern using natural-tan leather lace that was hand-skived, edge-burnished, aged and conditioned. The resulting tapered web follows the glove’s original architecture and is secured with a compact square knot.

The exterior leather remains supple and beautifully toned, with honest surface wear, age-darkening and scars earned across approximately nine decades. The wrist carries a prominent period owner inscription, preserving another chapter of the glove’s history. The original interior handstall remains present but shows substantial age-related surface cracking and deterioration. It has been lightly conditioned and stabilized for preservation; this is an antique display and collecting piece rather than a glove intended for play.

Preserved, not replaced. This glove will be carefully supported and securely packaged for shipment, ready for a serious baseball collection, historical display or unforgettable gift for a fan of Rogers Hornsby and the game’s earliest equipment.