Robert
Forgan made his circa 1895 bulger brassie, and it is a shapely, handsome club. The head is stamped with his
name and the Prince of Wales plum that acknowledged Forgan as being the
official clubmaker to HRH the Prince of Wales, an honor bestowed in
1863. The shaft and grip are original, as is the neck whipping. The face
has been fit with a leather insert held in by 12 small nails. This
insert was installed when the club was in use, to repair damage to the
face and help the club last longer. Crafting and installing such inserts
were part of the clubmakers trade during the wood shaft era.
Robert Forgan was a giant in the world of 19th century clubmaking.
Forgan apprenticed to Hugh Philp and took over Philp's business in 1856,
after Philp died.
This club, with its thick brass soleplate and elongated bulger head, looks quite good and has a high degree of originality.
The finish is original as is the 41" shaft, sheepskin grip, and neck whipping.
For more on Robert Forgan see The Clubmakers Art 2, volume 1, pages 70-74.