Gutty Golf Ball, The Bird 27½
Gutty Golf Ball, The Bird 27½
30880
Antique Gutta Percha Golf Ball, 'The Bird 27 ½'.
A very nice example of 'The Bird 27½' gutta-percha golf ball with moulded mesh pattern, maker unknown. The gutty golf ball is with the ball name 'The Bird' in inverted lettering on a circular band with the DWT number (27 ½) on both poles of the ball, inner circle with mesh pattern. The DWT number on old gutty golf balls refers to pennyweights (dwt), a unit of weight from the apothecaries' system. In the 19th century, golf balls-particularly gutta-percha ("gutty") balls-were sometimes marked or described by their weight in dwt, a standard gutty ball often weighed around 26-28 dwt (≈ 40-44 grams). Since consistency of size and weight was a big issue before standardisation, these markings helped golfers know what they were getting.
The ball is approximately 4.2 cm in diameter.
The solid gutty golf ball replaced the feathery ball because of its cost effectiveness, as a gutty could be rolled in a matter of minutes, and slowly the game of golf became affordable to the masses. The 'Gutty' era lasted from around 1848 well into 1900's.
To make a gutty golf ball first the gutta-percha was heated and loosely rolled into a ball shape. The ball was then put into the mould and then placed into a press. The press would imprint the pattern onto the ball and the excess would squeeze out of the sides. The seams were then trimmed when cool, leaving a hard and non-brittle "Gutty" golf ball. The durability of the gutta along with its lower costs and better play rejuvenated the game of golf.
Gutta-percha is the evaporated latex produced from a tree, mostly found in Malaysia.
Dimensions:
1850-1899
Circa 1890's
Gutta Percha
The Bird 27 ½
Good solid, intact condition, retains the original white paint in the lines & name. A couple of club marks to the surface.
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 on both poles of the ball, inner circle with mesh pattern. The DWT number on old gutty golf balls refers to pennyweights (dwt), a unit of weight from the apothecaries' system. In the 19th century, golf balls-particularly gutta-percha ("gutty") balls-were sometimes marked or described by their weight in dwt, a standard gutty ball often weighed around 26-28 dwt (≈ 40-44 grams). Since consistency of size and weight was a big issue before standardisation, these markings helped golfers know what they were getting.The ball is approximately 4.2 cm in diameter.The solid gutty golf ball replaced the feathery ball because of its cost effectiveness, as a gutty could be rolled in a matter of minutes, and slowly the game of golf became affordable to the masses. The 'Gutty' era lasted from around 1848 well into 1900's.To make a gutty golf ball first the gutta-percha was heated and loosely rolled into a ball shape. The ball was then put into the mould and then placed into a press. The press would imprint the pattern onto the ball and the excess would squeeze out of the sides. The seams were then trimmed when cool, leaving a hard and non-brittle "Gutty" golf ball. The durability of the gutta along with its lower costs and better play rejuvenated the game of golf.Gutta-percha is the evaporated latex produced from a tree, mostly found in Malaysia.){kind=link}