Is this "The Wilson 8802" putter a rare bird?

[smorg]

I picked up my first 8802 a little over a year ago thanks to the good folks at GW. Tonight, the stablemate was came home, again thanks to the good folks at GW. Now, what's interesting is that tonight's find appears to be a rather rare bird. I'm suspecting that this one is one of the earliest 8802's produced in the first 1964 production run. From what I've read (not gospel, hence this post) is that the first part of the production run used up the remaining "designed by Arnold Palmer" head speed shafts which have an 8 3/8" first step. Stablemate tonight has exactly an 8 3/8" first step with only 4 steps on the shaft. It also miraculously still has the original head speed shaft band. My other 8802 has the spec'd 6" first step with 5 steps on the shaft.

The leather grip is original and in great shape and has the correct Wilson Staff butt plug, but differs from my first 8802 in not having silver piping. The sole engraving is correct but tonight's find has a slightly different font and also differs as "Wilson" is not red paint, all paint fill is black (I can't tell if the paint fill is original or touch up at a later date, though I suspect it is original). My other 8802 has "Wilson" in red paint fill. I'm believing (tonight anyway) this is one of the first of the 8802's made. I firmly believe this is not a remake. Fire away, I'm hoping for lot's of input and opinions.

 

The first couple of photo's are of tonight's 8802 find. My first 8802 acquisition makes it's cameo appearance later.

[sbboudreau]

Na. You can find them on eBay pretty redly.

[Texsport]

The long first step version was always preferred for feel

 

Texsport

[birly-shirly]

Should the shaft band on an original not be green?

[dcopp7]

The green shaft label is the rare one. A guy told me it is called the Christmas tree because it is green and red

[rex235]

Scott-

 

Your Wilson 8802 is from page 2 of the 1987 catalog, as the "Head Speed" Shaft band is from that period.

[teevons]

Use the Nickle test, the early ones a nickle would fit perfectly on face, older models there was space , head is larger

[smorg]

Scott-

 

Your Wilson 8802 is from page 2 of the 1987 catalog, as the "Head Speed" Shaft band is from that period.

You have crushed my dream of early retirement. Right as usual.

Scott-

 

Your Wilson 8802 is from page 2 of the 1987 catalog, as the "Head Speed" Shaft band is from that period.

Thanks. I guess I"ll keep my day job.

[smorg]

Use the Nickle test, the early ones a nickle would fit perfectly on face, older models there was space , head is larger

You are correct. Nickle fits perfectly on my original 8802. Nickle has a gap on the one that "I firmly believe is not a remake". I have to learn to quit making posts at 1 am in the morning and do more research. Thanks.

[doctordwaynewilliams]

I have one of these putters. I used the nickel test and it fit perfectly. So what do I have exactly?

[RobotDoctor]

This was a late 1990s or early 2000s reproduction of the original 8802. I forgot exactly the year but timeframe is during this time. The major difference, other than being a reproduction, is that the metal isn't going to have the same feel. Folklore had it that the original supply of the Designed by Arnold Palmer and 8802 putters came from salvage and had an unspecified combination of metals that, in combination with the headspeed shaft, produced a very soft putter. Later versions could never duplicate the feel, even with an authentic headspeed shaft. The RM version was rumored to be cast, not forged. I have not found absolute confirmation on this so take that information with a gain of salt.

[LYG]

I have most of the originals....1964 Palmer, 8802 and 8813 from the 1960's, and a black 8802. Some of the Cleveland ones feel just as good -- God please don't strike me down for saying that. I LOVE my old ones but am always scared of them getting stolen.

 

So I turn it upside down if I leave my bag to go to the gents.

 

I have a true love-hate with them....they are so cool but I tend to get handsy with them putting, especially under pressure. Still, I want to game them!

 

Anyone else have this 8802 syndrome?

[pymmdcp]

I have most of the originals....1964 Palmer, 8802 and 8813 from the 1960's, and a black 8802. Some of the Cleveland ones feel just as good -- God please don't strike me down for saying that. I LOVE my old ones but am always scared of them getting stolen.

 

So I turn it upside down if I leave my bag to go to the gents.

 

I have a true love-hate with them....they are so cool but I tend to get handsy with them putting, especially under pressure. Still, I want to game them!

 

Anyone else have this 8802 syndrome?

 

Yes...and I don’t even own one...yet that is.

[summersok]

Curious about the font on the Wilson 8802. Is the W different from all the others? I also have an 8802 all black except 8802 in in red. Passes nickel test perfectly. Font of the W is different from all the others I have and have seen for sale. Stamping also appears larger. Anyone have an idea?

Edited April 9, 2021 by summersok
Photos added

[golfunderpar18]

@summersok post a few photos.....can’t tell much without seeing it

[jmcf1949]

Bought mine in 1965 for twenty some dollars. Best feeling putter I’ve ever felt. Sold it in the late eighties for five hundred fifty bucks. Wish I had kept it.

[tsecor]

I have the "newer" 8802 Wilson brought back.....and ive never putted better......my cameron remains in the closet...lol.....

[summersok]

[Stephen8802]

I have a few quick observations after comparing that to my 1964 8802. The stamping looks too uniform; the original was deeper on the left than the right. The Paint fill is different, mine has a red Wilson and the rest is black. And, is that a fluted shaft? The original did not have a fluted shaft.

 

Passing the nickel test doesn't make it an original, but failing the nickel test does knock it out. I have a black 8802, a store model from the early 70s, and it passes the nickel test. It also has a fluted shaft. Is any of that shaft band still there? The original's Christmas Tree band is a dead giveaway, and the later silver and black shaft bands are both different widths and thicknesses, so that will tell you what you need to know.

 

On the plus side, the chrome wear looks like it has been around for 60 years.

[seis]

On 3/24/2021 at 9:55 AM, tsecor said:

I have the "newer" 8802 Wilson brought back.....and ive never putted better......my cameron remains in the closet...lol.....

I concur on this. I found one at Play it Again last year. The previous owner abused it but the face was still clean. The original grip was good and the shaft sticker was still on. Bought it for $45. What a fun putter!