Catalog (8)

Offered are two, very-hard-to-find, antique, Smooth-Face, Wood Shaft, Golf Clubs. Both hand-forged irons are circa 1900 and sport hickory shafts and original leather grips. Each club exhibits a rarely found smooth-face surface.

The club on the left is stamped with the owner's initials "T.H" and "AC SPALDING & BROS MAKERS", plus "MODEL D HAND FORGED". The shaft is secure and is modestly split above the hosel. The iron has a tarnished patina and smooth surface. The grip is constructed of brushed leather and is complete. The club measures 40.5 inches from the tip of the toe to the end of the handle.

The club on the right is stamped "ST. ANDREWS" and "MAKERS" with the letter "L" denoting that it is a lady's club. The club face exhibits minor, honorable wear as well as an age-appropriate patina with some rust and pitting on the hosel. The shaft shows appropriate wear, is almost straight, and is secure. The original, smooth leather grip has what appears to be an ancient piece of tape (which can be removed) on each end. The club measures 34.25 inches from the tip of toe to the end of the handle.

SOME HISTORY
Prior to 1900, the vast majority of irons were smooth-faced. During this period, it was common for caddies to use emery cloth to lightly clean off rust from the club heads. Prior to the use of grooves or hand-punched dots being applied to the club face (to enhance backspin), caddies would use the emery cloth to roughen the "sweet spot" on the club face to promote backspin.

Beginning in the 1890's, hand-punched dots on the club face appeared and by 1905; patterns such as scored lines, dots and lines, criss-cross lines with or without dots became the norm.

The end of the smooth-face era for irons occurred around 1910, though some were still offered in catalogues after that date for those who resisted change.

Offered is a nice group of 3, 1920-1930 era, Hickory shaft Golf Clubs which are all stamped "Mid Iron". The clubs all have good grips, early finish on the shaft and are playable.

The first club sports a handsome low profile design with the back marked "HOLLYWOOD" - HANDFORGED - SPECIAL and HAND FORGED. There are a few dings noted on the leading edge of the front, and the club is otherwise in good condition. Measures 37.5 inches from the heel to end of club.

The second vintage club is stamped "L" (denoting a ladies club) "Kroydon J7" and "FORGED" on the back and "25 Degree MidIron" on the base. The club measures 37 inches from the heel to end of shaft.

The third club is stamped "THOS. E. WILSON & SON" and "GENE SARAZEN" on the back and "MID IRON" on the base. There also is a colorful decal on the shaft just below the grip. The decal is complete and notes the "WILSON" etc., trademark. The club measures 38.5 inches and is in nice usable condition.

Offered are 3 vintage United Kingdom Golf Clubs made by Sunningdale. This nice group consists of a driver (Play Club), a putter and a Mashie Niblick. Each club sports their original dark leather grips and hickory wood shafts with old finish. The condition of each club is fairly good and rate at a #6 category out of 10. They all exhibit honorable wear, a lovely patina and are in usable condition.

The Play Club (wood driver) has modest finish loss, a small black colored sole plate(? material), and a lead weight built into the back. Measures 42.5 inches from tip of grip to heel. A slight bend is noted from front to back of the shaft. Marked SUNNINGDALE on the top. An ancient unobtrusive irregular tiny piece of wood is missing from just below the letter "D".

The first iron is stamped "Mashie Niblick", "Hand Forged", "SPECIAL" and "SUNNINGDALE" on the back. There is a small leading edge ding on the front left and is otherwise in good playable condition. Measures 36 inches from the heel to end of grip and sports an almost straight shaft.

The second iron, the putter, measures 33.5 inches exhibiting a nice patina on the metal. The markings on the back are the same as the Mashie Niblick except for the word "PUTTER". The shaft has an excessive-appearing bend to it which was either due to warping or was done intentionally. The clubs date to the 1910-1920 era.

Offered are 3 vintage Golf Clubs from USA maker PICCADILLY. This nice group consists of a Brassie (2 wood), putter and a mid iron. The condition of each club is fairly good and rate at a #6 category. They all exhibit modest wear, a lovely patina and are in usable condition.

The Brassie has modest finish loss, a full brass sole plate and a lead weight built into the back. Measures 42.5 inches from tip of grip to heel. A modest bend is noted from front to back of the shaft. Marked "PICCADILLY" faintly on the top. The face has ancient residue as evidence its honorable use. The shaft is solid has an early finish and is missing its leather grip with only the old underlisting remaining.

The first forged iron is stamped "Mid Iron", and "PICCADILLY" on the back. There are a few minor small leading edge dings on the front most prominent towards the heel. Measures 37.5 inches from the heel to end of grip and sports an almost straight shaft and is missing the grip (has underlisting).

Finally, the putter, which measures 33.5 inches and has a nice patina and a small area of pitting on the face towards the heel. The markings on the back are stamped "PUTTER" and "PICCADILLY". The shaft has an older finish and complete leather grip.

The clubs date to the 1930 era.

Offered is a group of 3 Wright & Ditson Golf Clubs that includes two scarce Hickory Smooth Face examples and one later steel club. Smooth face clubs fell out of fashion around circa 1900, although they were still offered in catalogues for a number years. I date the following first two of the three clubs offered from 1900-1910.

The two hickory smooth face clubs are each stamped "ST ANDREWS", "Wright Ditson & Makers". Each shaft is stamped "Wright & Ditson" just below the grip and sports a nice aged patina.

The first hickory club appears to be an unmarked putter, and the iron club head portion is in very nice condition. Measures 33.5 inches from heel to top of shaft.

The second hickory club is essentially a 5 iron (MASHIE) although it is not marked as such. There are two small leading edge dings and is otherwise a nice example.

The third club, the latter steel club, is marked "5 and MASHIE" on the base and dates to the 1930 era. The painted metal shaft sports a nice dark brown leather grip. The head of the iron is stamped "PARAMOUNT REG.U.S. PAT. OFF. - GRADUATED IRONS 'WRIGHT & DITSON' U.S.A. MILD STEEL". The club head is in good condition with various mild leading edge dings.

All clubs ready to play!

Offered for your review is a hard to find R. Forgan made Mashie golf club.

The club has plenty of information stamped on back as follows: "R. FORGAN" in script - "R. FORGAN & SON (then a CROWN image below) and ST ANDREWS" - 'WARRANTED HAND FORGED' "MASHIE", plus 'M.G.' (? owners initials) and finally 'VL & D N.Y.' (? US store that sold this club).

The hickory shaft retains an old darkened finish and sports the following stamp marks just below the grip:"ST ANDREWS" - "SELECTED" & "R FORGAN & SON". The shaft has a slight to mild warping and is solid. The club head has a wonderful darkened patina with some old remnants of debris within its punched holes. The leading edge of the sole and toe have evidence of honorable play sporting unobtrusive dings.

This desirable beauty measures 36 inches from heel to end of the grip. While quite playable, I would proudly display this club as a collector's item made by one of the best Scottish club makers of his time. Would date to circa 1900.

Offered is an extremely scarce, 1870s, Scotland Maker, Long Nose, Mid Spoon, Wood Golf Club with original finish!

This rare, antique, hand-wrought golf club was recently acquired from the estate of a gentleman who had restored and collected golf clubs for 7 decades! His family, while settling his estate, remarked that he had "paid crazy prices for some of his collection!". This prized, rare club is certain to have been included in that category!

This amazing club sports its original varnish surface and is offered in "as found" condition. The darkening of the finish results a wonderful patina. The club displays an enchanting elegance owing to the gently-sculpted angling of the face. The sole of the club shows signs of mild use with linear scuff marks beginning at the front portion of the inlaid horn. It measures a formidable 42 inches from the heel.

The skills of the craftsman are most apparent when the club is viewed from the top. While unmarked, this club displays the form of the exceptional, highly-skilled, Scottish club makers of the 19th century. The lead has been expertly applied to the back of the club, and the original twine adds to the club's character. The hickory shaft is undamaged and sports a warm, honey-colored surface. The leather grip was expertly replaced many, many years ago and has signs of gentle use.

A phenomenal, rarely-found example of 19th century craftsmanship! A tangible example of exemplary golfing history!

Offered is an extremely scarce, C1860s, United Kingdom Maker, Long Nose, Long Spoon, Wood Golf Club with original finish! It measures a formidable 44 inches from the heel to the end of the shaft! What is most intriguing about this club is the modestly angled 6 inch club face which showcases the dramatic curve.

This club actually presents a number of qualities that indicate it may, in fact, be an example of pre-1860s craftsmanship: : LENGTH of the face is 6 inches. The DEPTH of the face is 1 1/8 inches max. The face is SMOOTH and CURVED, and the club head is shaped in the form of a TEARDROP. The club is UNMARKED. The neck is slightly thin at just over 3/4 inches--- all indicators of an early, pre-1860s club!

This amazing club sports most of its original varnish surface and is offered in "as found" condition. The darkening of the finish results in a wonderfully rich patina. The club displays an enchanting presence owing to the gently-sculpted angling of the face. The sole of the club is without the usual ram's horn which was the typical norm, making this particular club that much more intriguing and quite unusual!!! I have not been able to find reference to clubs that were made in this fashion. RARE!!!

The early golfer must have been quite robust and sturdy as this heavy club face is one that most folks today would have a difficult time keeping "square" at impact. Long spoon clubs were used off of grassy surfaces which accounts for the very nice condition of this beauty. Besides the unobtrusive, expected scuff marks on the sole, there is only one tiny, barely-noticeable chip on the leading edge of the club face at the bottom, consistent with hitting something other than a grassy surface!

The lead on the back of the club has been partially removed to customize it for the golfer, and the original twine adds to the club's character. The slightly warped hickory shaft is undamaged and sports a warm, honey-colored surface. The leather grip was expertly replaced many, many years ago and has signs of honorable wear.

The skills of the craftsman are most apparent when the club is viewed from the top. While unmarked, this club displays the form of the exceptional, highly-skilled, UK club makers of the 19th century. According to author and golf history expert, Jeffrey B. Ellis, unsigned, long-nosed golf clubs were the norm in the pre-1870 era.

This rare, antique, hand-wrought, golf club was recently acquired from the estate of a gentleman who had restored and collected golf clubs for 7 decades! His family, while settling his estate, remarked that he had "paid crazy prices for some of his collection!". This prized, rare club is certain to have been included in that category!

A phenomenal, rarely-found example of 19th century craftsmanship, and a tangible example of exemplary golfing history.