Offered here is a "Skinner's Reliable" patent iron made and marked by William Gibson of Kinghorn.  The center section of the face on this club actually projects forward a short distance ahead of the heel and toe. 

Charles Skinner's British patent (No. 385) dated January 9, 1905, was the first patent to cover a projecting face on a golf club.  Skinner's Reliable clubs were produced in both irons and putters. The projecting face or "cushion" was optional.  The consistent feature, also covered in Skinner's patent, was the sole—it angles up, away from the ground,  at the heel and toe. 

This 38 1/2" shaft has a small bit of whipping, installed to help soidify what appears to be a minor crack in the shaft.  The shaft appears solid and tight, and the crack does not open up at all when the shaft is lightly torqued.  Upon close inspection, the crack has pretty much disappeared, likely repaired to where it blends back together with no issues.