Wilson Hickory Golf Lofter Iron c1885

Designed by Robert Wilson; famous cleek maker from St Andrews
Much more playable and durable than the early lofted woods
A multi-use club before the rise of the Mashie and Niblick
Helped the golfers preserve their wooden-headed clubs
At the time, it cost almost half the price of a lofted wood
Robert Wilson (1845-1906) was an early Cleek maker working in St Andrews. This type of lofter iron club had been made popular by the firm Robertson and Morris. It was a very playable club and far more durable than the lofted woods it finally replaced. This deep-faced Lofter was an important multi-use club before the rise of the Mashie and Niblick. They typically had a long hosel (around 10cm), a thin blade and they were usually not marked. If cost had been a consideration to you in the latter part of the 19th century, this iron would have cost around 4 shillings (20p) as opposed to a wood head club for around 7 shillings and sixpence (37p).
This model is a right-handed club only.