MacGregor M85 Tourney Irons

[jtbrown248]

Guys;

 

Picked these up a while back at Goodwill and I can't find any real good info them,,,ie, dates made, reviews, did any pro's play with them, etc.

 

Again the blasted 7 iron is missing

 

Any info would be appreciated

[honketyhank]

They are actually M85 irons. Made in various minor variations from about 1953 to maybe 1959 or so. Very popular clubs. I have heard, but do not know for a fact, that Jack Nicklaus played these when he won the US Amateur title. Yours appear to be in very good condition.

[jtbrown248]

Good catch on the "M86" error in the Topic...I just changed it[quote name='honketyhank' timestamp='1362061441' post='6519545']
They are actually M85 irons. Made in various minor variations from about 1953 to maybe 1959 or so. Very popular clubs. I have heard, but do not know for a fact, that Jack Nicklaus played these when he won the US Amateur title. Yours appear to be in very good condition.
[/quote]

[honketyhank]

I did a little bit of digging just now. It looks like MacGregor made the model you have from 1950 to 1954. In 1955, the M85's had a copper plated face (so called Colokrome), In 1958, MacGregor redesigned the Tourney model but preserved the old M85 design for several of their "second" lines (like some of the Louise Suggs models, some of the Byron Nelson models, etc.) The design is also known as their "wingback" design and it has been resurrected several time as second line models or as custom clubs.

[jtbrown248]

[quote name='honketyhank' timestamp='1362080868' post='6521533']
I did a little bit of digging just now. It looks like MacGregor made the model you have from 1950 to 1954. In 1955, the M85's had a copper plated face (so called Colokrome), In 1958, MacGregor redesigned the Tourney model but preserved the old M85 design for several of their "second" lines (like some of the Louise Suggs models, some of the Byron Nelson models, etc.) The design is also known as their "wingback" design and it has been resurrected several time as second line models or as custom clubs.
[/quote]

Great info there and thanks.

I had an idea they were from the early '50's and I knew when I found them they were in excellant condition if they were there that old.

Now, where do I find a 7 iron to complete the set.....

By the way, I just bought a 7 iron to complete my Mac DX2 set so that is a done deal so now I am seriously motiviated to complete this set

[teevons]

funny you should mention the M85, as just yesterday I finally took the poor mixed set of grips off a set of M85 irons 2-DS wedge and put in extensions I plan to adjust loft and lie ,a little stronger and flatter and put some new grips on. The shafts are much thinner than todays clubs as they has lots of underlayment for the leather.

I love the extra weight the clubs have, I think stixman has mentioned how he likes the heavier shafts also. I have had a set of the newer M85s that had tour forged on the hosel but they were way lighter than the originals

also see if you can pick out what else I found in the pics?

[jtbrown248]

Well you seem to have two 7's and I have none. Would be a shame to let one of those sit by its lonesome. We should find a way to mate them up. Perhaps we should hook up and see what kind of arraingement we could make either way to or from you.

[teevons]

They are M85t, no leather grip,still interested?

[jtbrown248]

[quote name='teevons' timestamp='1362156560' post='6527353']
They are M85t, no leather grip,still interested?
[/quote]

I see what you mean not a real fit are they?

However, since I am an addicted, dumpter diving, Goodwill and thrift store, "golf arccheologist" (meaning the joy is in the pursuit and find but not the possession)as opposed to an avid "colledtor" (meaning the joy is in the possision,)I dont intend on keeping these forever.

So i guess the question are you or anyone else interested in an "almost' complete set of vintage MAC M85's sans 7 iron and if this is not the appropriate place for that question, i appologize up front.

[teevons]

I would but I have 2 mint sets M85 1-DS and a set of M85T 2-DS, Your set is really nice , too bad about the 7

[jtbrown248]

[quote name='teevons' timestamp='1362181995' post='6530083']
I would but I have 2 mint sets M85 1-DS and a set of M85T 2-DS, Your set is really nice , too bad about the 7
[/quote]

Ok guys.

Still looking for the M85 7 iron, APB alert

[Ironmaster Oddities]

Let me look in the Proverbial Niles Hoard, or what is left of it. I gave a lot of the individual irons to Elkhart Community Schools. So You may be out of luck. If I have one, I will let you know.

[b]Interesting footnote[/b]: Of all the MacGregor MT irons I found in that hoard...full sets, partial sets, and individual irons, I would say that almost 90% had leather grips. The weren't the "T" model with the permanent cord/rubber grips. I had assumed that the proportions would be closer to 40/60. Especially since Hogan always played with cord grips. And Macgregor always promoted the cords. Any thoughts, Mac Gurus?

[pacman16]

I keep forgetting the answer to this ..... does the 'T' in m85T refer to the grip or the shafts being extra long?

[Mudpack]

The “T” in M85T refers to the grip. I have an M89 DS wedge that had belonged to my father, and I understand that the “9” in M89 means that the 2-iron in that set was 39 inches in length rather than the standard 38.5 inches.

[Mudpack]

Oh, and I forgot to say that my dad’s  M89 DS wedge does have the leather wrap grip.

[ScottBHbum]

12 hours ago, pacman16 said:

I keep forgetting the answer to this ..... does the 'T' in m85T refer to the grip or the shafts being extra long?

I'm new to this MacGregor line of clubs, but I'm learning so much here - it's wonderful! 

The T refers to the grips.  T means not leather, but rubber.  No T means the club started with leather grips.

[mocokid]

T equals cord grip. IMHO. 

[ScottBHbum]

Yes, I believe you are correct.  Thank you for the correction 🙂