Circa 1897 Patent-Pending "Cran" Cleek Wood Face Iron

        Irons with inserts were first introduced in the 1890's, and the most famous example was Spaulding's "Cran" cleek. The Cran cleek was covered under a U.S. design patent granted on June 8, 1897, to James Cran, assignor to A.G. Spaulding & Bros. Cran's design covered an iron face inlaid with wood. Two screws, the heads of which are visible on the back of the blade, hold the wood in place. The cran iron is a popular golf collectible for two reasons. First, it is a visually interesting club with wonderful aesthetics. Second, inlaying an iron face with wood was a dramatic break from tradition. Originally advertised in Spalding's 1898 catalog as "The 'Cran' Patent Brassie Cleek," the Cran cleek was still offered in Spalding's 1918 catalog with the remark: This club we have had on the market now for over 15 years and its popularity is still on the increase. Spalding last offered the Cran in their 1919 catalog. The "Spalding 'Cran' Patent Brassie Cleek" pictured is one of the first ever made. Marked "the Spalding ' Cran," this cleek is also stamped "Pat Applied For," which means it was made between April 21, 1897, when James Cran applied for his patent, and June 8 1897, when he received his patent. This early Cran iron has a smooth wood face; those made in later years was scored with fine lines.