Antique Wood Shaft Era Golf Club Lard Perforated Steel Shaft Whistler Spalding

Description

One of the rarest American made clubs the Lard "Whistler" is an steel shaft club made for only two years, 1918 and 1919 by Spalding under the Gold Medal brand. This club has drilled perforation pattern in the shaft to make it lighter in weight however it did make it whistle when swung and thus the nick name.
These clubs were only made in irons that we know of and this particular one is a mashie. It is all original including it's leather grip wrapped around wood stock that the metal shaft is inserted in.
The head is clearly stamped with Spalding Gold Medal cleek mark. However the patent stamp is slightly difficult to read. There is some pitting on the head. NO rust on the shaft and the grip has old cloth electrical tape at the base where it meets the shaft.
We have not seen one of these clubs in a number of years and it is an exciting find.
The club is 38 3/8" long overall and the head is 3 3/4" x 1 5/8"
This club was very hard to photograph and we have other photos if that helps.
Thanks for your interest.
Item #B3061