Offered here is a circa 1893 William Ross Patent Spring-Face Iron. Gunmetal head hollowed and fitted with a spring metal face held in place by three rivots. According to Jeff Ellis, "this is the first spring face iron ever patented." Ellis goes on to state that "the club was not well received and only five [examples] remain." Very good condition. 

This club originates from the famed Jeff Ellis Collection, and this exact club was featured in his books, The Golf Club (p.76) and The Clubmaker's Art (TCA 1, p. 336; TCA 2, p. 413). This club has not reached the collector market since its sale at the 2007 Sotheby's auction of the Jeff Ellis Collection.