1950's Macgregor Persimmon Drivers

[jspr77]

Hey Chaps, 

 

I have a couple of MacGregor Persimmons that seem to be breaking the mold - the face inserts are causing me troubles in properly identifying them... this is the 653T supposedly. Can anyone go definitive?

 

[jspr77]

This again is a six screw insert and is stamped M43... all other M43's I've seen had red inserts... 

[jspr77]

Lastly, the M55W - hoping to refinish one or all three of these... This has all the hallmarks of an original - worth the restoration cost to game? 

 

[jspr77]

One last one... can anyone identify the model? I reckon it is 653? 

[raggal62]

At some point inserts were replaced with non-original material.

 

The M55 driver has been reshafted. Perhaps to a stiffer version, as originally it was a ladies model.

[thepunch_out]

10 hours ago, jspr77 said:

One last one... can anyone identify the model? I reckon it is 653? 

This club is a bit more rare than a 653, and precedes it in age by a few years as well. These were called the "Pro Model" and they were not denoted with any numerical model number like the 693,M85W, 945W, etc. There were however different "Pro Models" and they were denoted by the name stamped on the crown, thus, this club would be a Tommy Armour Pro Model. As for age, if memory serves me correctly these were in production around 1948-49. It is definitely pre-1950 though just judging by the script on the crown. I can't say why the change was made, but Tommy Armour's signature was adjusted around that time and it is most recognizable in the "A" on his last name. Pre 1950 the script was a bit narrower and set at more of an angle, whereas the later models carrying his name made the "A" appear fuller and more upright.

[jspr77]

34 minutes ago, thepunch_out said:

This club is a bit more rare than a 653, and precedes it in age by a few years as well. These were called the "Pro Model" and they were not denoted with any numerical model number like the 693,M85W, 945W, etc. There were however different "Pro Models" and they were denoted by the name stamped on the crown, thus, this club would be a Tommy Armour Pro Model. As for age, if memory serves me correctly these were in production around 1948-49. It is definitely pre-1950 though just judging by the script on the crown. I can't say why the change was made, but Tommy Armour's signature was adjusted around that time and it is most recognizable in the "A" on his last name. Pre 1950 the script was a bit narrower and set at more of an angle, whereas the later models carrying his name made the "A" appear fuller and more upright.

Thank you so much for this information!

[Rambler1277]

Got this bag today for $15. Bottoms of the Macs are definitely a little worn. Whacked the 5 wood a few times and it flew pretty nicely.

 

 

[raggal62]

Wow nice score!!

[WalkerTexas]

So much awesome info in this thread. As a newbie I appreciate all the posts, thanks folks.

[LeftyMac]

On 6/26/2021 at 4:27 AM, thepunch_out said:

This club is a bit more rare than a 653, and precedes it in age by a few years as well. These were called the "Pro Model" and they were not denoted with any numerical model number like the 693,M85W, 945W, etc. There were however different "Pro Models" and they were denoted by the name stamped on the crown, thus, this club would be a Tommy Armour Pro Model. As for age, if memory serves me correctly these were in production around 1948-49. It is definitely pre-1950 though just judging by the script on the crown. I can't say why the change was made, but Tommy Armour's signature was adjusted around that time and it is most recognizable in the "A" on his last name. Pre 1950 the script was a bit narrower and set at more of an angle, whereas the later models carrying his name made the "A" appear fuller and more upright.

You'll see that the "M's" in Tommy and Armour are actually upside down in the early clubs and are effectively w's.  Changed to the right way up and went from a cursive script to block letters towards the end of the 50's.  Confused the crap out of me the first time I worked on a crown stamp with the inverted M's.

 

Edited June 27, 2021 by LeftyMac

[whowhispers]

Thank you to the posters providing knowledge and great pictures

of classic persimmon.

[RobotDoctor]

Current collection with two MacGregor drivers not present (1952 M85TW and 1953 TA 945W).  Both are at the DW spa for full restoration.

 

 

[jspr77]

🤩

[Foozle]

39 minutes ago, RobotDoctor said:

Current collection with two MacGregor drivers not present (1952 M85TW and 1953 TA 945W).  Both are at the DW spa for full restoration.

 

 

If I had a view like that I wouldn't bother opening the blinds to look out if the window either! 😍

[RobotDoctor]

41 minutes ago, Foozle said:

If I had a view like that I wouldn't bother opening the blinds to look out if the window either! 😍

 

LOL, I did that to reduce the light and glare from outside.  The blinds are cracked open currently.

[SoManyClubs]

11 hours ago, RobotDoctor said:

Current collection with two MacGregor drivers not present (1952 M85TW and 1953 TA 945W).  Both are at the DW spa for full restoration.

 

 

All that I have to say to you, is ensure that you make those who would handle your estate aware of the value of what you have there there in that bag. It seems like all to often a bag like that will end up at goodwill or god forbid, on its way to a landfill, simply because people of my generation would look at those and say "meh, just a bag of outdated golf clubs, trash 'em". And sadly, we have nothing but ourselves to blame for their ignorance. We must educate the youth of the glory days of old.

[RobotDoctor]

14 minutes ago, SoManyClubs said:

All that I have to say to you, is ensure that you make those who would handle your estate aware of the value of what you have there there in that bag. It seems like all to often a bag like that will end up at goodwill or god forbid, on its way to a landfill, simply because people of my generation would look at those and say "meh, just a bag of outdated golf clubs, trash 'em". And sadly, we have nothing but ourselves to blame for their ignorance. We must educate the youth of the glory days of old.

I have a list of woods with pictures of them noting what a fair and reasonable value of the woods would be.  I also have contact information of a couple friends who are collectors who are honest and will assist in case.  A few of my woods will go to a friend who has the same passion I do.   He also has a tremendous collection because he loves them like I do.  

[LeftyMac]

I had to sit down with my family at dinner a year or two back and explain that if anything happened to me they were to get in a two of my friends to assist with getting rid of the golf clubs and just as importantly, the books.  

[SoManyClubs]

4 hours ago, RobotDoctor said:

I have a list of woods with pictures of them noting what a fair and reasonable value of the woods would be.  I also have contact information of a couple friends who are collectors who are honest and will assist in case.  A few of my woods will go to a friend who has the same passion I do.   He also has a tremendous collection because he loves them like I do.  

Thats awesome to hear. Glad that there are people who are dedicated to preserving these fragile pieces of history. Here is a photo of my current collection of macgregors.

[LeftyMac]

This was from January.  There is another dozen or so Macs, a set of Honmas, a few Maxflis and some Slazengers missing from the photo.

[Foozle]

Some of the hoard! Not as pretty as others here but still wrapped up warm against the Scottish summer!😁

Contents include Busson, Broadbent, Gibson, Kikidas, Spalding, Hogan, Ram, Powerbilt, Wilson, Joe Powell, Toney Penna, Honma, Mizuno, assorted others and of course MacGregor.

Mac's include sets of Tommy Armour 693 & M43.

Trying to follow RobotDoctor's example to catalogue and picture so that my son and heir doesn't just skip them when I go.

He took his love and appreciation of our fine game and its artefacts from Mrs Foozle - that is to say none! ☹

[RobotDoctor]

14 hours ago, SoManyClubs said:

Thats awesome to hear. Glad that there are people who are dedicated to preserving these fragile pieces of history. Here is a photo of my current collection of macgregors.

How about pics of the MacGregor 945W 3 wood.  Looks fabulous!!!

[LeftyMac]

18 hours ago, SoManyClubs said:

Thats awesome to hear. Glad that there are people who are dedicated to preserving these fragile pieces of history. Here is a photo of my current collection of macgregors.

Now if you ever want to get rid of those couple of stray lefty Mac's, let me know.