“Mercury by True Temper” Shaft

[natridder]

Hey all,

 

So, I’m a bit new to the antique golf club world—but I must admit, it’s quite the rabbit hole. I found these two clubs at my grandfather’s house, and aside from some AI research, I haven’t been able to find much about them. What’s interesting is the shafts: I believe they’re fiberglass from the 1950s or ’60s. They look like bamboo, and the same shaft on the 2-iron is also on the putter. The 2-iron has three patent numbers stamped on it, along with what I believe is the original True Temper shaft sticker. Based on research and AI assistance, I found the following:

"This Spalding Autograph putter features a bamboo-colored fiberglass shaft consistent with True Temper’s early 'Mercury' line. While this shaft lacks a surviving decal, it matches identically (in material, taper, and color) to a companion 2-iron that does carry the original 'Mercury by True Temper' label and the fiberglass shaft patents: 2,916,791, 2,976,553, and 2,890,538."

Curious if these clubs have any real value—or if they’re just cool wall decor for the man cave.

[bcstones]

Pretty sure TT Mercury is a steel shaft, put a magnet next to it & see if it adheres. If it does, then it's a pyratone sheathing commonly used in the '30s & '40s to ease the jump from hickory shafts to steel...

if that quote you posted is from "AI" - just proves GIGO
 

Edited July 16 by bcstones

[Shallowface]

I think I see what looks like a step below the shaft label, so I agree with bc that it's probably pyratone coated steel.  The only stepped graphite shafts I've ever seen came from Wilson (via Babcock & Wilcox) in the 70s.  I don't believe any of the fiberglass shafts had steps.  As far as I know fiberglass were invented in the 1960s and were made by Shakespeare.  I don't know if anyone else offered that product or not, and the Shakespeare shafts weren't around for very long at all.

 

Those heads look more like something from the 30s or 40s as well. 

 

GIGO is a great label for AI.  It's no better than the people producing it.  Try reading the AI generated descriptions some lazy people use on Ebay.  Brutal.

 

It does make for a convenient scapegoat.  "It's not us.  It's the AI!"  

[bcstones]

2 hours ago, Shallowface said:

As far as I know fiberglass were invented in the 1960s and were made by Shakespeare.  I don't know if anyone else offered that product or not, and the Shakespeare shafts weren't around for very long at all.

 

Actually 1954 was the first attempt at fiberglass shafts by Golfcraft as @Jiggered in his video mentioned - a pic of the Golfcraft clubs, showed Lloyd Mangrum on the clubs. I have an inclination to favor any club w/the "Lloyd Mangrum" signature or sponsorship. 
Another note on the Jiggered video - Carnoustie used Shakespeare fiberglass rods (fun note, Shakespeare called it's fiberglass fishing rods "Wonderrod", then called it's golf club "Wonder Club" & Carnoustie called it's shaft "Wondershaft"....🤣)

 

 

[Jiggered]

The shafts are certainly Pyratone coated steel.

 

The first True Temper Patent number was 1,670,531 dated May 22nd 1928.

 

You have a putter and a long iron, date would be 1930s I'd guess.

Value at present for this vintage of club is unfortunately low but hopefully their time will come!