Smith-neck anti-shank irons were popular clubs and made by various
makers. The club offered here is stamped "GF Smith's Patent" in an oval and is worn. "Mitchell & Co, Manchester," which is also stamped on the
head, was the retailer who sold the club. The shaft is also clearly stamped "Mitchell Manchester."
According to the auctioneer's research, George Francis Smith never
actually received a patent for a golf club. He only applied for one
patent during his life, on Oct. 27, 1897, and it is not known what that
patent application covered. Smith, however, was not the only clubmaker
to claim a patent for a club design when, in fact, the process was never
completed.
According to a review of his club in the April 1903 issue of Golf
(ny), to create his anti shank iron Smith bent back the lower half of
the hosel and attached it to the top of the blade while keeping the top
half of the hosel aligned with the leading edge. He placed weight behind
both the heel and toe, to better balance the club and to "counteract
any inaccuracy in striking with either of these portions of the club."
This heel and toe weighting is obvious when one views the back of the
head. The back is dramatically curved. It is at its thickest behind the
heel and toe and its thinnest behind the middle of the face.
In Golf's long history, George Smith was one of the first people—if
not the first—to explore heel and toe weighting. The auctioneer does
not know of anybody who did so before him. The 36 1/2" shaft is
original as is the leather wrap grip. Not only is this a historic club, it has a great look!
Condition is as shown in images.