William Mills was the most prolific designer and manufacturer of early aluminum head golf clubs.  He created The Standard Golf Company, a division of The Atlas Works, to produce his clubs which are commonly referred to today as "Mills" clubs.

This one, stamped "2 / The Mills / Mid Iron / BSD 2 Model / Standard Lie" on the bottom of the head and also including the patent number 124635 on the top, was produced in the early 1900s.  The 39 1/8" shaft is also stamped, but the first part of the word is difficult to make out--possibly "sure" for "surewood"? It bears an old leather grip that is original to the shaft.

When they are found today, Mills aluminum clubheads typically show a fair bit of wear, as the aluminum alloy used to make Mills clubheads was relatively soft. This example, however, is better than most.  The head is one of the few remaining Mills club with an original "blackened" finish (faces were never blackened). Mills blackened the heads of some of his club in 1900 and for a short while thereafter.  It was thought that the dark finish would tone down the aluminum and keep it from reflecting in the eye of the golfer.  A Mills duplex club with a blackened head is presented In The Clubmakers Art Volume 2, pages 519-520.

The excellent condition of this head, along with the black finish and the well-lofted face give this club a unique look!