An atmospheric and highly appealing early hickory-shafted iron by Willie Park of Musselburgh, retaining excellent period character and particularly desirable maker's markings to both the iron head and wooden shaft.
Willie Park is one of the great names associated with the formative years of Scottish golf and with Musselburgh's remarkable golfing history. This surviving club has enormous character and would make an excellent addition to a collection of early golf equipment, Scottish sporting memorabilia or a period golfing display.
The reverse of the forged iron head bears the important oval maker's stamp:
W. PARK – MAKER – MUSSELBURGH
Although naturally worn with age, the marking remains clearly identifiable and is an attractive feature of the club.
Adding considerably to its interest, the hickory shaft itself is also stamped W-PARK immediately below the grip. This additional marking is clearly visible in the close-up photographs.
The iron head retains a wonderfully aged appearance with extensive natural patination, surface marking and remaining oxidation, giving the club exactly the appearance one would hope to see on an early, unrestored golfing collectable.
The striking face retains its distinctive period scored/hatch-pattern hitting area.
The club retains its traditional hickory wooden shaft, complete with the aforementioned W-PARK marking.
The hickory has developed a rich, darkened surface and considerable character through age and use.
There is, however, an important condition issue which prospective buyers should note carefully.
The hickory shaft has a significant longitudinal crack/split immediately above the iron hosel.
This is clearly shown in the detailed photographs and has deliberately not been concealed or subjected to a modern repair.
Because of this crack, the club is being sold as an antique collector's and display piece only and should not be considered suitable for play.
When displayed normally the split is relatively unobtrusive, but close photographs have been included specifically so that its extent can be properly assessed before purchase.
Another particularly attractive surviving feature is the club's old brown leather wrap grip.
The leather has developed a wonderfully distressed appearance through considerable age and handling, with expected wear, surface deterioration and some flaking. It nevertheless remains substantially present and gives the club tremendous period character.
The securing thread/whipping around the lower end of the leather grip remains in place and appears secure.
At the upper/butt end, however, some of the securing thread has begun to come away and was hanging loose.
To prevent the loose thread from continuing to unravel, becoming caught or potentially being lost, I have applied a very small piece of clear tape simply to hold it temporarily in position. This can be seen in the photographs.
The tape is purely a temporary protective measure and should not be regarded as a repair or restoration.
I felt it preferable to secure the loose original material rather than cut it away, glue it or attempt a permanent repair. The next owner can therefore decide whether to leave it as found or have the grip appropriately conserved or repaired according to their own preference.
The old leather should naturally be handled with care due to its age and distressed condition.
This is an antique golf club showing considerable evidence of age and use, and its condition should be considered an important part of its history and character rather than that of a restored club.
The iron head has extensive age-related patination, oxidation, pitting, surface marking, scratches and wear.
The hickory shaft shows age and use and, most importantly, has the significant crack/split immediately above the hosel described and photographed above.
The old leather grip is distressed and worn, with surface flaking and deterioration. The upper securing thread is partially loose and is presently retained by the small temporary piece of clear tape described above.
No attempt has been made to disguise these faults.
Please therefore study all of the photographs carefully, particularly the close-up images of the Park markings, leather grip, temporary tape and cracked area of the hickory shaft, as these form an important part of the description.
Despite its age-related faults — and in many ways enhanced visually by the patination accumulated during its long life — this remains a very appealing Willie Park, Musselburgh hickory-shafted golf iron.
The combination of the W. PARK / MAKER / MUSSELBURGH head marking, the additional W-PARK marking on the hickory shaft, surviving distressed leather grip and wonderfully aged iron head gives the club considerable presence as an authentic early golfing collectable.
It would display particularly well alongside other antique hickory clubs, early golfing equipment or Scottish sporting memorabilia.
Please note once again that because of the cracked hickory shaft, this club is offered strictly for collection and display rather than play.
Postage & Packaging
Every golf club is carefully packaged to help ensure it arrives in the condition described in the listing.
The postage and packaging charge reflects some of the cost involved in sending your order, and not just the courier's delivery charge. It covers the cost of a golf club box selected to suit your club, protective packing materials and, of course, the courier service.
Careful packaging is an important part of the service I provide and helps ensure your club reaches you exactly as described.