The Allen ball used in 1938 was similar to the Federale 102 from the previous World Cup since it also consisted of 13 panels. The cotton laces of the Allen balls were white — however, this was not a long lasting colour, since the rain and mud immediately changed the colour of the laces to brown. The ball was hand sewn, just like its predecessors, and had to be inflated by a skilled person. If the inflation and closure of the laces were not precise, the ball would not become spherical — which would influence the trajectory of the ball.
Content courtesy of Worldcupballs.info