Unusual Antique Hickory Shaft Early Smooth Face Morris Patent Round-Sole Cleek

This item is a right handed antique hickory shafted 39.5" iron. Early smooth face marked G A O'Neil Auburn Park GC. Auburn Park was an early Chicago course where O'Neil was the pro. Can't tell you exactly when it opened but it disappeared in around 1907 after O'Neil laid out the new Beverly Country Club, purportedly in conjunction with Tom Bendelow. O'Neil, in association with A Naylor, were long time Chicago area pros and club makers. This particular club is modeled after the early 1890's Patented Tom Morris Round-Sole cleek. Patents were not well protected back then and other cleek makers made them for their clientele. Tom Stewart made the Patented Morris Round-Sole cleek for Tom Morris but can't tell you for sure who made this club for O'Neil but it could very well have been an early 1900 MacGregor forging. No bowtie, shamrock or rose cleek mark so it was early if made by MacGregor. The head is in good vintage condition. The head does have the expected play nicks and dings and some patina. Please look at the many zoom pictures to get a better idea of condition. The shaft is an old unmarked hickory. It is straight, I see no cracks and it has some play at the hosel (all hickory shafted clubs should be re-set prior to play). The grip is an old long leather wrap that is in fair to good vintage condition. The swingweight is a very respectable C7, the loft is 16* and the shaft is quite stiff. Hard to find club.     Shipping in the US is calculated for this item and based on a 2 pound box. The closer you are to me in NC (27712 zip) the less shipping will be. That is the way shipping works as it costs me more to ship a greater distance with all the carriers. The shipping includes insurance and signature confirmation is why it might seem high. I do ship pretty much worldwide but shipping is a lot more to foreign locations and is also calculated. In accordance with the current Ebay policy I am only allowed to state that I accept payment via Paypal. NC residents must add 7.5% sales tax.