james Munro received a British patent dated July 4, 1896, that covered this croquet-style putter offered here—the first croquet-style club to be patented.

According to Munro's patent for this club, the traditional method of putting was less effective than croquet-style.  Munro calculated that his putter simplified the stroke, kept the blade on line—square to the target at all times, and did not require any complex wrist action.  He further believed his putter was better adapted to playing stymies than an ordinary putter, as a spin could be put on the ball with great ease thus causing the ball to travel a curved path to avoid the other ball.

The back of this brass blade is stamped "Patent Pendulum Putter inside an oval. The shaft is original and the grip is a sueded leather wrap replacement of recent vintage. Measuring 35 1/2 inches in length, this club shows evidence of use but it is still a fine and handsome example of this historic and scarce club.

Munro's putters were made by the Scottish Golf Club Manufacturing Company, which went out of business two years later.  For more info on the Pendulum putter, see TCA2 v1 p245.

This club is shown in the center of the bottom row in the accompanying group picture.