MacGregor Chieftan Classic Persimmon Woods

[Bella Woods]

1930 - 1931 Chieftan Driver, Brassie & Spoon

Since these are not seen that often, I thought I would post a few pictures. These clubs are an example of MacGregor in
their creative heyday. The center back weight, Yardsmore Inlay on top, and the dowels (screws) on the face of the clubs
are all made from real ivory. A set of these would cost you $75 during the depression! Actually, I don't think any clubs
cost as much until about 1960.

I bought these about ten years ago from Jeffery B. Ellis (the author of The Clubmakers Art among other books) when he was
still doing his monthly sales catalog by mail.

All of the clubs actually have deep stampings but no paint in them. I put a little flower in the spoon for definition.

[persimmonpal]

Great sticks Wally!
I love those Chieftain woods.. I have refinished a few sets, but never had any of my own. How are the soleplates on yours??
I remember those Jeff Ellis catalogs.. I still have a few dozen from the late 1980s... pretty cool to see what prices the classics were bringing back then..
Have you ever seen the STreamliner woods? About 7-8 years ago I bought a lot of 6 of them (all fairways no drivers).. they had never been used and were found in an attic.. thoe are very cool woods to, and would look great along side your Chieftains. They are VERY seldom seen, and I wish I hadnt of sold all of mine.
Thanks for posting!!!

[Bella Woods]

Hey John, how are you?

The soleplates have a lot of little scratches but are all readable. I have only seen pictures of the Streamliner woods.
They look like it would be possible to miss the ball all together on a bad swing. Six Streamliner fairway woods is
incredible, I don't think a lot of them exist. Probably a lot less fairways are around as opposed to drivers.

On this set, I was on the paying end of the higher classic club prices of the "old days" you mentioned!

[persimmonpal]

[quote name='Bella Woods' date='02 May 2010 - 02:36 PM' timestamp='1272825378' post='2413860']
Hey John, how are you?

The soleplates have a lot of little scratches but are all readable. I have only seen pictures of the Streamliner woods.
They look like it would be possible to miss the ball all together on a bad swing. Six Streamliner fairway woods is
incredible, I don't think a lot of them exist. Probably a lot less fairways are around as opposed to drivers.

On this set, I was on the paying end of the higher classic club prices of the "old days" you mentioned!
[/quote]

I can imagine... Jeff Ellis always had good stuff, but none of it was cheap!
The Streamliners were amazing.. You are right, the hitting area really wasnt much bigger than the ball, so anything other than a perfectly centered strike would be ugly. The woods must have belonged to an owner of a sporting goods store or something.. They literally had never been hit.. a great find. I am a fool for selling all of them!
Hopefully you are getting a chance to "exhale" after the 15th of April! I still havent filed mine, but I have until Mayy 11th because of a state of emergency in my county due to about 20 inches of rain in 2 weeks!!
Take care Wally!

[Maxwell]

Absolutley beautiful! There's no other way to describe them. Thanks again Bella for sharing them with us.
Max