1964 Wilson 8802

I have what I think is a 1964 Wilson 8802, but I have some questions that need someone with way more knowledge than I have on these. The face is slightly larger that the size of a nickel by about 1/16", and the length is 35" It has the green head speed shaft band, and black fat paddle grip with correct end cap. Is it 1964 or remake? Any help would be great thanks in advance.

Looks like a 1964 to me.

I think we had a discussion on this recently--- I think it has something to do with how the Wilson script is written---- I am not a Wilson guru by any stretch but judging from the grip and grip cap it may very well be a 64

The grip and cap are key. You can't find replacements for those.

This might help..

Is it an ORIGINAL Wilson 8802 Putter?

^^^^ Well according to what you posted in the article Drew's putter makes all of the criteria except 1 which is the nickel on the face but then again it may be the position of the photo. Like I stated I am no where a Wilson guru but IMHO it is a 64

Disclaimer---- Please do not state it is a 64 because Stu THINKS so

C'mon Stu! Own it!

LOL I am a little fat to be stepping out on that limb!!! But there are more qualified Wilson experts on here than I am----- But judging the criteria posted here I will say it is 99% likely it is a 64

Thanks for the info. I'm wondering if the heads were hand forged at any point in the manufacturing process, making them a little inconsistent.

Could be a newer head with an older shaft. That's they way the fakes are usually made. How long are the steps and how many of them are there? Also can you give a toe shot of the head? You can also tell by how much undercut the topline has.

Here are the pics of the undercut, a toe shot of the head, Ive also included pic of the where the shaft and hosel meet. is that gap normal production? Shaft has 5 steps first first is 6 inches

From what I had been told about identifying an original 8802 to reproductions the first step should be 8 - 8.5 inches to the first step with 5 steps total. These were the left over shafts from the Designed by Arnold Palmer line. When these shafts were used Wilson went with a head speed shaft with a 6 inch first step. Head Speed shaft label should have two triangles with the word "Head Speed" located withing the triangles. This one appears to be correct from one side. The grip should be black leather with silver piping through out the length of the leather. The grip cap should have a logo with two flags, one red and one blue. The "Wilson" script on the sole should be in red paint and the "The 8802" should be in black. All these items are correct. I know there was something about the stamping and the 8802. I believe the first 8 should be wider than the second due to the manner in how the press was set up. I am trying to research that but verification is proving to be a bit difficult. Stay tuned.

The thing that makes me feel this putter might be a reproduction is the height of the face compared to the nickel. The face height of the putter head should measure exactly the the diameter of a nickel, at 13/16". The 8802 remakes all have a face height slightly larger than a nickel (between 1/16" and 1/8"). Camera angles from some sellers can place a nickel on a remake to make the nickel appear to be the same dimension. This is probable the tall tell sign between an original and a reproduction. Unfortunately this could be an original shaft installed on a reproduction head.

Thanks for the info, if you find out more on the first 8 being larger let me know. The face height and the shaft tip gap have me wondering.

Cheese Whiz!!! You mean to tell me people are actually faking 8802s ? WOW that is a new one on me I never imagined it seriously

I actually had a collector try to do that to me to get my original 8813. He tried to pass an 8802 on an original shaft back in the early 90s. I called him out on it.

^^^ Robot I am glad you did. The trick he tried to pull IMHO is the same thing as stealing and I hate a thief. I have extra strong feelings about being honest what ever it involves. My old man always taught me to Square my actions.

Stu,

Sounds like we were raised by the same moral code. The issue I had with this collector is he was in his early 60s back in 1992. I never went back to that guy again. There was a golf collectors list booklet run by some guy in Maryland called The Golf Collector back pre-internet. Every once in a while someone wrote and asked me in I knew this guy since he was some big time collector in Fort Collins. I always told people what he did to me and I said buyer beware. He was a crook. That said, there are still those type of people out there then there are honest people. I have never tried to take advantage of anyone and often undersell my items a wee bit. Most of my stuff I take a loss with because I tend to have the fortune of buy high, sell low. LOL

Best regards,

Sam

No matter what system is in place, there will always be those who look to work that system to their advantage, regardless of the means to do so. A rather less than pleasant side effect of the human condition.

So very true. The bright side is that there are so many more people who are honest and make the ride pleasurable. Maybe hard on the wallet but pleasurable!

There's also an interesting irony... Golf, which prides itself on integrity, is still apparently comprised of some who may lack it.

Stating the obvious ?

My mantra is buy high and sell low. I've sold a few items this week. Have some listed here and somewhere else. Need to purge my "collection" of golf clubs and a couple of bags (one huge staff bag and a carry bag). That said, part of the fun in the journey is the quest to find either the Panacea of clubs or the collectible we have wanted for some time. In the end Golf is a great ride!!!

I do not make any money off my hobby either. Of course working for a metal recycling company I find most of my stuff cheap cheap cheap. I give most of my stuff away free but it all comes back one way or the other.I have had some great members send me stuff free. Some of the newer stuff I do deals with a guy down the street that has an independent shop. He knows how and where I get the stuff and I sell it or trade it to him where he can make a bump too. We work well together. Good example the clubs I have played the last 2 days which are 62 FC---4000s our fellow confident and club ho Stickfish sent to me. My back has just gotten healthy enough to swing those old Propel 2s.

Interesting thread which I don't want to hi jack but on a similar vein, any thoughts on the age of my 8843? The Wilson catalogues show these in the late '60's but with the Wilson logo on the face and a straight alignment mark. Mine has the logo on the sole and a chevron alignment. Nice leather grip with the flat butt and what looks like the period Wilson end cap. It's a bit battle weary but still putts nicely!

I have a Wilson 8802 from that exact year. It has served me well and is still is in my bag. The club looks authentic however the original grip was a beige leather wrap although the shape of yours look about right. Fatter in the middle

I have the similar putter. I haven't used it in close to 30 years. Mine on the cap says made in Scotland. Is there a difference?

11 hours ago, LeoAltobelli said:

I have the similar putter. I haven't used it in close to 30 years. Mine on the cap says made in Scotland. Is there a difference?

First off seeing you are a newbie welcome to this corner of WRX. Nice putter. I am not that much of an expert on Wilson to comment. Rest assured that this thread has been revived someone will know. We have a great deal of collective minds in this corner including a bunch of Wilson Gurus

On 3/28/2024 at 5:39 AM, BIG STU said:

First off seeing you are a newbie welcome to this corner of WRX. Nice putter. I am not that much of an expert on Wilson to comment. Rest assured that this thread has been revived someone will know. We have a great deal of collective minds in this corner including a bunch of Wilson Gurus

Thank you!