Dunlop Maxply Fort for 2 handers?

[zcarzach]

Hey guys,

At an antique store today I picked up a couple of wood racquets. I got a TA Davis Hi Point, playable shape, and a later Dunlop Maxply Fort in superb shape (both $3). The Fort has a super long leather grip (says Dunlop all over it in gold lettering) and lettering on the side of the throat that says "2 Handed Fort". I've never seen one like this, although admittedly I don't know much about classic racquets. Is this one uncommon? I plan to play with it (nearly perfect shape, strings still feel good). I can take pics if necessary.

Thanks,

Zach

 

[robbo1970]

We always want pics

 

[zcarzach]

Indeed, pics are always better, so I took some. I was hoping that guys would have some idea about this. Anway, here are the pics.

 

[coachrick]

What a cool find on the Fort! I was a rep for Dunlop when they were getting rid of all the remaining wood stock and I don't remember that model at all. Good looking stick!

You don't have to reveal your secret source; but what part of the world was this ?

 

[joe sch]

What a cool find on the Fort! I was a rep for Dunlop when they were getting rid of all the remaining wood stock and I don't remember that model at all. Good looking stick!

You don't have to reveal your secret source; but what part of the world was this ?

I agree that longer two handed grip is very rare on the dunlop maxply. I have also had hundreds of diff maxply's and do not remember a double grip. The donnays of course had this version for borgs rackets since he was had the famous 2handed BH. Could have been a custom stock stick for one of the players ? What are the specs on it ? Possibly heavier and wider grip like 6H ?

 

[robbo1970]

Cool find, I like that.

 

[michael_1265]

That Maxply is a nice find. I would not expect the Maxply to have come with an extended grip. I just picked up a Bancroft Borg Personal with an extended grip, but that's not really a surprise.......

 

[treblings]

i remember frew mcmillan who played double-handed on both sides playing with a maxply with an extended grip. looks like one of his

 

[lazya4]

is there a mark on the racket as to where it was made?

 

[zcarzach]

is there a mark on the racket as to where it was made?

Yup, says "Frame by Dunlop - England" on the side of the throat. The buttcap also says "Made in England".

Thanks for the input guys. I would buy a $3 Fort pretty much no matter what, but I was fairly certain this was a rare item. This was purchased at an antique mall in Mason, Michigan. Still looking for a Donnay All Wood, a Maxply McEnroe, a Bancroft Borg, and a non-warped Borg Pro to play with.

 

[michael_1265]

Yup, says "Frame by Dunlop - England" on the side of the throat. The buttcap also says "Made in England".

Thanks for the input guys. I would buy a $3 Fort pretty much no matter what, but I was fairly certain this was a rare item. This was purchased at an antique mall in Mason, Michigan. Still looking for a Donnay All Wood, a Maxply McEnroe, a Bancroft Borg, and a non-warped Borg Pro to play with.

I find it surprising that they would even sell an old racquet for $3 at an antique place. Around here, even a crappy, beat up, warped Kramer will have a $10 price if it is in an antique shop.

 

[zcarzach]

I find it surprising that they would even sell an old racquet for $3 at an antique place. Around here, even a crappy, beat up, warped Kramer will have a $10 price if it is in an antique shop.

Yeah, I got lucky I guess. The store I went into tends to be pretty cheap. I also bought a very nice complex molding plane (my other passion) for $25. They also had a Spaulding racquet, looked like a department store model, for $7. I passed on that one.

 

[Hannah19]

I do know about the Slazenger Challenger No1 having a
Bi-Hander grip. This maxply is totally unknown to me......Congrats, that's a great find at an even greater price.

 

[Rabbit]

Let me add my kudos to your purchase.

Frew McMillan used a Fischer frame with an extended grip.

I suspect what you have here is a 'Fast' Eddie Dibbs Maxply Fort. Dibbs was the subject of a Dunlop ad campaign back in the day, after Laver and before McEnroe. In it, he said "I'll hold the Fort against anyone...". Dibbs had a two-handed backhand and was a Fort user until Spalding lured him away.

 

[zcarzach]

Let me add my kudos to your purchase.

Frew McMillan used a Fischer frame with an extended grip.

I suspect what you have here is a 'Fast' Eddie Dibbs Maxply Fort. Dibbs was the subject of a Dunlop ad campaign back in the day, after Laver and before McEnroe. In it, he said "I'll hold the Fort against anyone...". Dibbs had a two-handed backhand and was a Fort user until Spalding lured him away.

Interesting! I guess it isn't this one here...

The racquet is a 4 5/8 light, but the grip feels bigger than that. I have to find my scale to get a weight, but it appears to be standard length overall. I have another Fort, an older one, with a broken head. It appears to be very similar overall, excepting the graphics (very different font for the text, the Maxply logo appears the same).

 

[Hannah19]

Let me add my kudos to your purchase.

Frew McMillan used a Fischer frame with an extended grip.

I suspect what you have here is a 'Fast' Eddie Dibbs Maxply Fort. Dibbs was the subject of a Dunlop ad campaign back in the day, after Laver and before McEnroe. In it, he said "I'll hold the Fort against anyone...". Dibbs had a two-handed backhand and was a Fort user until Spalding lured him away.

I've just found two brand new wooden Spalding Eddie Dibbs still wrapped in plastic!!

 

[Mick]

i got a new one from the auction site some time back

 

[Rabbit]

Interesting! I guess it isn't this one here...

The racquet is a 4 5/8 light, but the grip feels bigger than that. I have to find my scale to get a weight, but it appears to be standard length overall. I have another Fort, an older one, with a broken head. It appears to be very similar overall, excepting the graphics (very different font for the text, the Maxply logo appears the same).

Great picture! I loved the old Adidas line Dibbs/Nastase wore.

I've just found two brand new wooden Spalding Eddie Dibbs still wrapped in plastic!!

Awesome! Do you have pictures? Are they keepers or are you interested in selling?