Both the head and 42 1/2" shaft of this driver is stamped "R Forgan & Son" (the clubmakers) and "Patestone & Son" (the seller). The woven Samson face insert, however is what sets this club apart.

According to Phillip Samson's 1911 patent, his initial provisional specification proposes making an insert from “ferodo fibre,” a composition “sold for the linings of motor car brakes and other purposes by the Herbert Frood Co., Ltd.”

Samson soon altered his original patent application “as regards the fibrous textile material" used in facing his club. His second application proposes using “a similarly made material containing asbestos as the sole or principal fibrous element, woven or plaited ... and treated or impregnated” as described in his original patent application."

Samson's insert was put to use in the Open Championship of 1911. As reported in the 6 July, 1911 issue of Golfing:

"One of the most striking features of the [1911] Open Championship, just concluded at Sandwich, was the great interest aroused by the newly invented Samson facing. Harry Vardon, Arnaud Massy, first and second respectively, and Alec Herd, who tied for third place, used this new face in their drivers and brassies, and there is little doubt that both in regard to direction and length it was of material help to them in the gaining of premier honours. [Vardon, Massy, and Herd] confirm the opinion that it grips the ball well, and most decidedly adds to the length and accuracy of a drive; and declare that it is without exception the best face that has yet been invented.... A company has been formed in connection with this invention, ...the Samson Golf Syndicate".

This is a fine example of a Samson insert. Few have survived in such nice condition. Note that there is also an iron with a Sampson insert in this auction.