Produced by 1899 in America by Willie Dunn Jr, his Indestructible driver is an early attempt to provide a driver with the durability of metal and the feel of wood.  To this end, the head is composed of an aluminum frame that holds a form-fitting block of wood, visible only on the face and crown. Five screws extend through the aluminum sole to secure the wood.

In his advertising, Dunn noted that his club had four additional advantages. The short cleek socket provided the desired spring close to the head. Second, there was no horn or lead that could work loose. Third, elasticity was gained by removing the lead and leaving 2 1/2 inches of solid wood behind the striking face. Fourth, the grain of the wood ran directly with the blow.  

This is a nice example of this rarely seen club. The slender 41 1/2" brassie lenght shaft is original.  The original sheepskin grip is still in place only it has been covered over back in the day with a leather-wrapped grip, likely done to purposely build up the size of the grip.  

The wood inlaid in the head is solid. The head is stamped with the name and location of the saller:  "P. Hills, Wembly."  A set of owner's intials "WB" is also marked on the crown.  The name of another former owner,"R. Clements," is stamped on the shaft.  The face is covered with a thin piece of leather affixed by six nails.  Leather was the traditional material used to cover a wooden face to make it more durable or repair any slight damage. The aluminum on this head is not marked up with bag wear like it is on many aluminum head clubs. Overall, this is a great club.

There is great history to this club and the man who devised and made it.  Son of famed mid-19th century club and ball maker Willie Dunn Sr., Willie Junior was one of the most influential golf personalities in America during the early 20th century. He was prominent as a player, businessman, club designer, course architect, and golf instructor among other things. A good portion of his career is covered in TCA2 v1 p309-311.

In 1896, Dunn established his club and ball making operation as well as a "golf gymnasium" in New York City.  Inside a room in what is now the old Madison Square Gardens in New York City he gave golf lessons.  1898, Dunn, after laying out a golf course in Dayton, Ohio, was hired to a supervisory position by a young clubmaking company—The Dayton Last Works.  The Dayton Last Works changed its name to Crawford, McGregor & Canby by 1900, when he was released from the company.  

Prior to coming to America, Dunn was also involved in British golf in the 1880s and 1890s both as a player, a clubmaker, and as a course manager/green keeper.  He went on to split time in America and the UK during the 20th century, returning to the UK for good in 1940.

In recent days, Dunn's Indestructable driver has been overlooked and not recognized for what it is—one of the rarest, most attractive, creative, and cutting edge clubs ever made during its day.   For more information on Dunn's Indestructible driver, see The Clubmaker's Art 2nd Edition, v1 p355.