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[Spinflight]

 I've picked up an old Gradidge on ebay though wondering about their grading system. I'm guessing it's from the 1920s. It's an Imperial Driver which they made from 1870 through to 1930.

 I've seen Super, Special Selected and Extra Special with various different stars or crowns.

 Anyone know which were the top grades? The Supers don't look like grade 1s though can't discern much between the other 2.

 Seems to have 12 grains and weighs 937g ( 2lb 1oz) without a rubber grip!

[Bats_Entertainment]

Not an answer to your question, but Gradidge became Slazenger.

[Bats_Entertainment]

As recently as the 1960s, pro bats (seen in museums) seem to have been marked 4 star.

[Spinflight]

As recently as the 1960s, pro bats (seen in museums) seem to have been marked 4 star.

 Yip and the markings changed at about the same time as they became part of Slazenger. Most of the ones online I've seen for later years were autograph style bats, especially Huttons.

 Been looking at old photos of batsmen trying to discern the bat markings but generally they are too grainy to tell. I'd imagine a lot of the top players were using Gradidges back then but doesn't seem that sponsorship was a big thing.

 Have given it to Richard at Bear Bats to refurbish so will be fascinating to see how 100 year old willow plays. Though as the top grades were air dried for 30 years back then it's likely a lot older.