Robert Urquhart sought the perfect adjustable iron.  He received four British patents in the 1890s as part of his quest.  This example was made in the late 1890s and has "Urquhart" stamped across the middle of the face inside an oval containing mesh pattern lines.  The Urquhart trademark of a 'U" inside a circle remains on the toe of the back of the blade along with  "No. 3323" which is believed to be a production sequence number. The back of the hosel is stamped "Patented."

The head is designed so that the club can be used both right- and left-handed.  Just push in the small lever on the back of the hosel and you can pull out and rotate the spring-loaded blade to a different position, left- or right-handed. The screw in the base of the hosel allows the golfer to adjust how far the head comes away from the hosel when the small lever is pushed and the golfer pulls the head in order to rotate it to a different loft.

The shaft is original and measures 38 inches.  The original sheepskin grip is in beautiful condition.

Urquhart adjustable irons are fascinating mechanical clubs with considerable engineering in both design and production.  This Urquhart iron a fine collectible, and in perfect working order!  The auctioneer feels that the Urquhart is often under appreciated.  It is highly historical, a mechanical marvel, well engineered and beautifully produced.  Yet, in recent years they sometimes sells for little more than than a smooth face lofter...which makes no sense.

For more info on Urquhart and his ingenious mechanical irons, see TCA2: v2, p440-441