Looking for a killer club? This is a monster of a killer! This Roger Brown is the most visual and rarest of Brown's rake irons. It was apparently a little too intimidating to find much of a reception when it was offered as only five or so are currently known. 

This example is from the World Golf Hall of Fame and bears a discreet and essentially unnoticeable hand-written inventory number "335" on the head. Original 39" shaft and sueded leather grip. Original filagree on the face is strong. The back of the head is marked Roger Brown Patent. 

Brown’s rake irons, or water irons as they are sometimes called, are among the most famous of all golf collectibles. The term "water iron” identifies a club specifically designed to play a ball from water; the term “rake iron” identifies a "garden rake like” club designed for use in high grass or sand. These terms, water iron and rake iron, have become interchangeable because the same club often addressed all three problems: water, high grass, and sand. 

Its interesting to remember that there were originally no allowances for casual water in the rules. And when there was, casual water rules did not apply if the ball was in a sand trap full of water, sand traps being considered a hazard. This is also why ballmakers made a fair number of balls that were "floaters" and advertised them as such.

The “Roger Brown" rake iron, offered here is the rarest, and most desirable. It’s head is formed with two sets of slots: a short set of slots open at the bottom of the head and a long set of slots open at the top. This exceptionally visual iron was covered under a British patent (No. 10.736) dated May 10,1904, and issued to James Henry Roger, a wine merchant from Glasgow. 

In his patent. Roger states his club is designed "for acting on the ball in sand bunkers, long grass, water ditches, and the like." Roger acknowledges Brown’s 1903 patent in the design of his rake iron. Even the patent illustrations of his club include the same ornamental "vine" scoring found on Brown's Major and General clubs. Roger’s club was produced in conjunction with J.R. Brown’s rake irons; hence, it was named after James Roger and James Brown.

Because of their strong visual presence. Brown's rake irons command attention and attract collectors. They have become extremely collectible and even the Major, the least rare of all of Brown's rake irons, draws a premium price.

Letter of Authenticity from the World Golf Hall of Fame