Walter hagen clubs?

[Diver_matt]

Can anyone shed some light on these?  I have driving iron through niblick.  I’m curious when they were made.  What does the triangle stamp indicate?  Any info is greatly appreciated.  

[Hickory4ever]

I have a complete set of these with hickory shafts, restored for play. They were manufactured in Detroit by the  L.A Young Company, likely in 1928 or 1929.

 

The triangle stamp is the Cleek mark from the manufacturer. They were from the early era when club numbering first started and still had the club names. The driving iron (1) is usually around 20 degrees, the 8 usually around 50 degrees. 
 

They are an excellent hickory play set. I find their swing weight a little light and have added a little lead tape.

[Diver_matt]

1 hour ago, Hickory4ever said:

I have a complete set of these with hickory shafts, restored for play. They were manufactured in Detroit by the  L.A Young Company, likely in 1928 or 1929.

 

The triangle stamp is the Cleek mark from the manufacturer. They were from the early era when club numbering first started and still had the club names. The driving iron (1) is usually around 20 degrees, the 8 usually around 50 degrees. 
 

They are an excellent hickory play set. I find their swing weight a little light and have added a little lead tape.

Thanks a BUNCH.  I’m going to see if I can get them retored a bit locally or do some of it myself.   I was curious if they were at the century mark….pretty close.  Thanks again!  

[Hickory4ever]

I don’t know where you are located but you should try the Society of Hickory Golfers website if you are in the US. There are links to people that might help you.

 

Assuming your hickory shafts are in decent shape, a little restoration can make them playable. Irons need to be reglued and pinned. The old glues dry out and then the head is only being held on by the pin. It only costs me $10 to get that done and an additional $15 to have a new grip (I prefer suede side out). You can even get new replacement shafts (frequency matched) if you desire.

 

I play hickory clubs more that 100 rounds a year, once restored they hold up very well.

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

11 hours ago, Diver_matt said:

Thanks a BUNCH.  I’m going to see if I can get them retored a bit locally or do some of it myself.   I was curious if they were at the century mark….pretty close.  Thanks again!  

You don't actually say yours are hickory shafted and we can't see from the photos.

[Diver_matt]

8 minutes ago, The Aspidistra in the Hall said:

You don't actually say yours are hickory shafted and we can't see from the photos.

He probably figured that based on the club heads.  They are hickory shafts.  Seller said his grandfather passed in ‘71 and they’ve been sitting in storage ever since. 

[Hickory4ever]

From the pictures, the heads are in good shape, the shafts look straight but need to be looked at carefully to determine their condition. If I was playing them, I would have them regripped.

 

They are not really rare, although complete sets are harder to find. Most people don’t realize that during the boom in golf in the early 1900’s, millions of clubs were made with hickory shafts. I have around ten sets of playable hickories including the Hagens and Spalding Sweetspots, the 2 iron in your picture. 

[Diver_matt]

45 minutes ago, Hickory4ever said:

From the pictures, the heads are in good shape, the shafts look straight but need to be looked at carefully to determine their condition. If I was playing them, I would have them regripped.

 

They are not really rare, although complete sets are harder to find. Most people don’t realize that during the boom in golf in the early 1900’s, millions of clubs were made with hickory shafts. I have around ten sets of playable hickories including the Hagens and Spalding Sweetspots, the 2 iron in your picture. 

I’m not under the illusion I have a gold mine.  The 2-iron is also Walter Hagen.  The irons are all exactly the same markings and numbers (201). I’ll try finding someone to bring them back up to playable condition and give them some use.  

[Hickory4ever]

17 minutes ago, Diver_matt said:

I’m not under the illusion I have a gold mine.  The 2-iron is also Walter Hagen.  The irons are all exactly the same markings and numbers (201). I’ll try finding someone to bring them back up to playable condition and give them some use.  

I was referring to the club to the right of the set of Walter Hagens. I can tell by the face that it is a Spalding Sweetspot.

 

[Diver_matt]

35 minutes ago, Hickory4ever said:

I was referring to the club to the right of the set of Walter Hagens. I can tell by the face that it is a Spalding Sweetspot.

 

The guy said some of those are womens irons.  The darker grips for sure.  ???

[Hickory4ever]

12 minutes ago, Diver_matt said:

The guy said some of those are womens irons.  The darker grips for sure.  ???

Check the lengths, Womens clubs were shorter and lighter swing weights. Some earlier womens clubs had an L stamp on them. 

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

12 hours ago, Hickory4ever said:

Check the lengths, Womens clubs were shorter and lighter swing weights. Some earlier womens clubs had an L stamp on them. 

And had lighter build shafts making them more flexible.