Robert
Urquhart sought the perfect adjustable iron. He received four British
patents in the 1890s as part of his quest. This example was likely
offered around 1897. This model has the Urquhart stamp across
the middle
of the
face as is found on most of these clubs. The
Urquhart trademark
of a 'U" inside a circle remains on the toe of the back of the blade along with "No 2262." "No 2262" is also stamped on the back of the hosel along with the words "Urquhart Patent."
The head is designed so that the club can be used both right- and
left-handed. Just push in the small
lever on the back of the hosel and you can pull out and rotate the
spring-loaded blade to a different position, left- or right-handed. The
screw in the base of the hosel allows the golfer to adjust how far the
head comes away from the hosel when the small lever is pushed and the
golfer pulls the head in order to rotate it to a different loft.
The
shaft and leather-wrap grip appear to be original. It has a slight bow along the top 1/3 of the shaft (along the grip).
Urquhart irons were designed so one club could take the place of many clubs. Great ingenuity makes a great collectible!
TCA2 v2 p440-441. The Urquhart is on the front right of the group shot.