This circa late 1840s Willie Dunn Sr. putter is one interesting club! It was part of the World Golf Hall of Fame collection, formerly displayed in St. Augustine, Florida, and has its inventory number "280" discreetly written on the lead backweight.  The club was restored in part by Laurie Auchterlonie and bears his small, discreet mark on the heel. Not only did he install the replacement grip in typical Auchterlonie fashion, he restamped the “W” and the “DUNN” on the head where the original stamp was apparently too weak to read well. But it appears he did leave the small “m” in “Wm” untouched.  He also freshened up the finish on the crown while preserving the original whipping.

There is little question that this is a Willie Dunn putter. And even if it was not made by Dunn who was born in 1821, this putter has a broad head and an overall profile that indicates it was made in the feather ball era. Love the parallel topline and leading edge! The head measures 5 ¾” in length, 2 1/8” in width, and 1 1/16” in face depth. 

Also quite interesting is the 37 ½” shaft appears to be original, but it is stamped “Musselburgh” in a straight line and nothing else. Dunn was born in Musselburgh and worked there until he went to Royal Blackheath in 1851. I believe this club was made before that move.  Dunn was already making clubs before he went to Royal Blackheath or they would never have hired him.   Willie Park Sr. was also located in Musselburgh, but Park, born in 1833, was not yet making clubs when this putter appears to have been made. Again, I do not question that this club was made by Will Dunn Sr.

One other fascinating point. There is a large screw in the crack in the top of the head back by the neck.  This screw appears to be from when the club was in use.  Sometimes, a clubhead would crack, which is how it was with these old relics.  The golfer might repair the head, sinking in a sizeable screw to hold it together. If he did, this is a clear indication that the club was either loved or the golfer was low on money for a new club!

Laurie Auchterlonie, who died in 1988, was the last of the great St Andrews clubmakers with roots that went back to the gutty era. He was the son of 1893 British Open champ Willie Auchterlonie. He knew how to make hickory shaft clubs and all things related. In 1963, Laurie replaced his father as the honorary professional at the R&A. He certainly knew his craft. 

As a further side note, Laurie Auchterlonie helped supply the WGHOF with many of the clubs in their collection. On those clubs that he worked on, usually installing new grips and sometimes cleaning up the finish he would often mark the shaft with "Restored by Laurie Auchterlone" or etch two small, discreet marks - a straight line and an angled line - in an out-of-the-way place on the club, which was typically on the heel of the sole or back of the neck.

Letter of Authenticity from the World Golf Hall of Fame