Trad Gang
Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: PAPALAPIN on June 16, 2004, 09:11:00 AM
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WHAT IS THE PRIDE AND JOY OF YOUR BOW COLLECTION.
Lets get something going here.
List your top three bows that you are most proud of. Doesn't matter if it is brand new, or an old collectible.
Mine are:
1. 1999 & 2000 JACK HOWARD GAMEMASTER JETS
2. 1963 BEAR KODIAK 60" 50# DOGLEG ULTRA-MINT
3. 1964 BEAR KODIAK 60" 55# EXCELLENT COND.
TIME TO BRAG A LITTLE. No sense in haveing all those great bows if you can't let everyone else drool over them.
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An old Ben Pearson Hunter that's been with me through college, my 30 year career, and into my retirement. It has nice Zebra wood and doesn't stack out to my 29" in case you get a chance to pick one up; do it.
Then I got a MA-VI Osage Black Widow that I consider a collectable 'cause they don't make 'em with MA (they are PMA now) and they only made a few 'VI' before they switched to 'X' for exotic. Widows are fine bows.
Then I got an used Zipper recurve that is a great hunting bow. Short, light, pretty maple, and will do the j o b. I recommend Zippers too...
Then I picked up a great used two piece Adcock ACS with bull snake backing. EVERYBODY knows you gotta have one of these fantastic bows!
Traded for a Fred Anderson Hyak and found out it was his Mr. Anderson's personal bow(the first one made) with the name 'Jack Rabbit' on it. 63" of enjoyment in the hand also!
How many could we list?
:bigsmyl: :bigsmyl:
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List as many as you want. I have 75 recurves now but I listed my three that i am most proud of.
I have a Locksley Wildcat that I bought in 1963. Basically it is a Pearson Hunter but under Pearsons other brand line.
I gave it ta a buddy in '64 when I bough a new '64 Bear Kodiak. He passed away last year and his widow gave it to me as a keepsake, si it is a very special bow to me.
I also bought an X99 Black Widow off of ebay that was custom made for GENE THORPE of New Orleans in 1966. He was in his '60's and I was 22, just getting into tournament shooting. He let me shoot that bow to see if I liked it. He was sort of a mentor to me in archery. I am thrilled to have it 37 years later. It holds a place of honor on my rack.
We all have bows that are special to us for many reasons. I have a Ben Pearson Super Jet solid fiberglass bow 50# that was my first hunting weight bow. I took a small buck with it at age 14. That bow goes for about $15.00 on eBAY now but I would not sell it for $100.00.
C'mon, lets see what else you got.
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1. I have a Grumley bush bow I got a good buy on. Been refinished but its a Grumley
2. a 1963 tamerlane nicest piece of wood in my collection.
3. I have one of the 1st 3 rivers bear A-handle takedowns went to africa with me.
Dean
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Gang,
Do know that these are considered "collectibles," but I treasure the following three (not in any order):
1. Java Man Sweetgrass (bamboo back, yew belly R/D wood composite)
2. Saluki Grandeur (bamboo backed and bellied, reflexed wood composite)
3. Genesis Phoenician (BBO-static limb 'curve)
Any all-wood enthusiasts here?
Todd
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1. Saxon - Wietas Creek - #1
2. Jim Reynolds - Thunderstick Mag with the
arrow inlay - I think there are only 7 or 8
or these made so far
3. Several other limited edition bows - Shrew
Limited #30, HH Wild Boar #9, and Joe
Blake's Prairie Panther #13
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1. circa 1938 Howard Hill,
2. 63 Kodiak Mag Type 1 Dogleg
3. 1926 Stemmler LB, cord grip and horn tips.
All bows would be 9 or better on the ole 10 point scale, with origianl finishes.
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a nels grumley bush bow signed by Nels and much later by Fred Bear.
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Do you guys shoot the GRUMLEYs, or are they just wall hangers. With a treasure like that I would hate to ewven try to shoot it.
I have a type I Kodiak Magnum that had never been strung. Of course I had to try. I strung it with a string from another Kod Mag, and flexed it a bit. I let it stay strung over night. The next day I drew it to half draw and then to full draw. It exploded. I leared my lesson at the expense of a nice bow.
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Bear Signature
1962 Kodiak
1960 Bear Kodiak Deluxe
1954 Bar Kodiak II
1968 Wing Thunderbird-Modified
I shoot all of them except the Signature
They are bows, and bows are meant to be shot.....right?
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ABSOLUTELY on BOWS ARE MEANT TO BE SHOT.
However, I would still be hesitant to shoot a GRUMLEY or a TYPE I KODIAK MAGNUM DOGLEG.
I also have a THUNDERBIRD. '63 is as far as I go bak in my Bears. I have
'63 KODIAK 60" 50# ULTRA MINT
'64 Kodiak 60" 55# Excellent
'64 Kodiak 60" 45# CAMO
'64 Kodiak 60" 40# LH
'65 Kodiak 60" 55# Good cond
'65 Kodiak 60" 48# Good Cond
'8? Kodiak 60" 70# Good Cond
'67 Kodiak Hunter 58" 45# Good Cond
'7? Kodiak Hunter 60" 43# Good Cond
'68 Super kodiak 60" 50# refinished
'62 Kodiak Magnum 52" 52# Decent Cond
'63 Kodiak Magnum 52" 50# Exploded & redone
'69 Kodiak Magnum 52" 48# Good Cond
'7? Kodiak Magnum 52" 50# Good Cond
'66 Super Magnum 48" 48# Excellent Cond
'7? Super Magnum 48" 45# Excellent Cond
'70 Custom Kodiak Takedown B riser 60" 50# MINT
'83 Custom Kodiak Takedown B riser 60" 55# GREAT
Signed by Fred Bear & Frank Scott
'83 Custom Kodiak Takedown B riser 60" 43# Good Cond
I also have a Brackenbury Riser made to take Bear limbs. There were two found in Jim's shop after his death. Only two made. The other one is in a collection in Colorado. Beautiful
Is this a collectors item? Only two made, but the demand is not there.
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Hello all, I am new to this site.I also enjoy collecting bows and broadheads. My top three are:
51 Kodiak static recurve, 54 compass kodiak 60# exc. condition with original paperwork, and a 20# tamerlane. would love to have a grumley bow, but haven't found one in my cheap price range. would love to build a replica. :wavey:
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WELCOME ELKSTALKER
Those are some nice collectibles. That 20# Tamerlane is really uncommon. What is the length? What other bows do you have?
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I have 69 Super K that paid a visit to the bow doc :bigsmyl:
WILL have a Thunderstick "arrow inlaid" bow soon!
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MARK
Good choice in bow repair man. BOWDOC is the best
He is going to do an older JACK HOWARD GAMEMASTER JET for a friend of mine
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!959 Kodiak 56#
1967 Super Kodiak 64#
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My pride and joy has to be Fred Bear's personal T/D hunting bow. It is the bow Fred Bear is holding in the photograph showen on the back cover of Bob Mungers book " Trailing a Bear".
It is displayed on my web site along with other items.....www.mooseran.com
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Listening to all these bows makes a guy want to start collecting. Sounds like music with all these cool names.
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Yup!!
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PINESHAFTER
Be careful what you wish for, you might get it.
Although recurve collecting is very rewarding, it is a DESEASE and can be detrimental to you financial health.
MOOSERAN
How did you come by Fred Bear's personal bow. What a great thing to have
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Don't think I have much to worry about as long as there's youngn's around to give them to.
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PINESHAFTER - That is my intention with my collection. My ten year old grandson stands to inherit about 75 recurves, about 40 of them real nice collectors bows.
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Papalan: This bow was given to Frank Scott, Freds long time friend and employee and I got it from Frank.
Fred used this bow when he hunted at Grousehaven.
View my web site for a few more items of interest.
www.mooseran.com (http://www.mooseran.com)
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Papa, I take it your grandson is already shooting (with your help of course) What a cool pass down gift. More enjoyable then cash.
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PINESHAFTER
Yes, Cody is shooting. My problem was that he quickly outgrows the low weight bows I was getting him. Now that he can shoot a 35# bow (24" though), I just let him shoot out of my colelction. How many 10 yr olds are shooting 3-D with a Staghorn. He has no idea of what a collectible bow he is shooting. His next bow is a 40# 1964 Bear Kodiak. I intend to see him brought up with a konowledge and appreciation of collectible recurves.
MOOSERAN
Frank Scott was a helluva gentleman. I have a 1983 "B" riser that was signed by Fred Bear. I sent it to Frank and he signed it for me also. He did that about one month before he died. That is one bow I will neve sell. What an honor you have by owning Fred's personal bow. I am jealous.
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Papalapin, I have any early Gainesville also signed by Fred.
I don't where your located but your welcome to stop by and vist. So far 3 Trads have been here and have had there photo taken holding Fred's bow. I had one fellow that had to have his photo taken wearing Fred's bolo tie.
Frank Scott was a top shelf kinda guy. Smooth and easy going. Could tell stories as well as Fred did and then some. Very much missed.
moose
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Moose, Thanks very much for sharing with us. I've looked at your web site and really, really enjoyed it. A great way to start my day!
Bill Fuller
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A Ben Pearson Deluxe Hunter
A Ben Pearson Cobra take down(1958)
I knew Gene Thorpe. He was quiet an archer,
he was a driving force in archery in New Orleans.
Kelly Bridges
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KELLY
GENE THORP was a great guy. I was about 20 yrs old when I met him. He was the President of the New Orleans Archery Club. He must have been in his late 50's or maybe in his '60's. He became my mentor in tournament archery. When I saw his Widow (bow, not wife) on eBAY, I had to have it. It holds a spot of honor on my bow rack.
You are correct that he was a driving force for archery in the New Orleans area. I joined NOAC, even though I was from Houma, and stayed a member for two years until President Johnson invited me into his service. When I got back, our local club had disbanded and I kinda drifted away from tournament shooting. There were a lot of great folks in that club, but the only other name that I can remember 37 years later is JEWETT BROCK. Were you a member of NOAC?
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Sovereign Deluxe Hunter(proto type that was not accepted for production.
Ben Pearson Cobra take down(1958)
I knew Gene Thorpe. He was a driving force in target archery in Louisiana.
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KELLY
Seems like many of the old traditional shooters from the area knew Gene. He was a great guy. I am very pleased to have his old bow. It brings back fond memories of shooting with him at the NOAC. I can remember going there for the first time, trying to see what others were shooting. Some folks are really finikey about letting someone else shoot their bows. Not Gene. He had just got it, first time shooting it, and he let me sling a few. It was a great bow, for a great man. He had Thorpe Consumer Credit in New Orleans. When I wanted to get a new hunting bow, money was tight, and I was just married, Gene financed it for me through Janssen's Archery Shop. Another great guy. Did you know Paul Janssen?
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Yes ,I met he several times. I shot in the tournaments in New Orleans. I lived in Baton Rouge. Did you know Miss Norckauer.
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Kelly , I wondered where you moved to...mark chambers ARTAC....
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Hi Mark,
My wife's family has land here. I have three large fields, woods with deer and turkeys and I have not shot my bow since I have been here. I hope to set up a 3-D practice range here and be ready to shoot next year. Hunting is a bust, my wife has named all the turkeys that walk in the field each day. My son walked up on a fawn in the woods, so now every deer we see the that fawns mother.
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KELLEY
I do not remember her. We had a field club in Houma, an mostly ran the field circuit in Louisiana. That was in '67 & 68. My wife and I joined the NOAC and made about 3 or 4 shoots a year.guy you never forget.
Heck, I am 58 and that was over 40 years ago. Oldtimers desease is starting to creep.
Although I got to know several of the members, Gene and Jewett are the only names I can remember from NOAC. Gene was the kind of
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I shot field in the early 60's. I remember Bill Brown and Durwood Nails. I saw Bill Brown at the senior Olympics last year. He is srill shooting very well. He won at the nation serior olympics year before last.
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would this be Bill Brown,the original owner of The Little Delta bow? If so I'd LOVE to get him to sign it!
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No, This Bill Brown was a top level field archer since the 60's. I don't think he hunted much.
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Well everyone I'm new to archery, got my first bow on sunday, I'm a single dad with 2 girls. I wont call myself a collector, but here's what I have so far. A 67' little bear 18# @ 24" RH, my 10 yr old likes how smooth it shoots, I was given that by a gent I met on here with the condition I have to give it away to another kid when she outgrows it, fair enough, but it will be a shame to see it go, real nice riser. Got the 15 yr old a 66' (I think!?)polar 66" 36# @ 28" ser# 6H8, It is just as prety as any tamerlane I have ever seen, it's just awesome looking. A vine maple longbow/selfbow for the 10 yr old. And an older dual shelf actionwood/glass laminated longbow for me, and a new sinew backed osage longbow/selfbow for me. I have 500$ into these so far, of course I'm broke, but hopefully there will be fresh meat soon. I'm hoping to find a longbow for the 15 year old, she wants to bring out that blackfoot in her, and dad thinks maybe that polar should be on the wall! It was fun reading about those great bows you guys have, my cousin has a compass kodiak.
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Im thinking of starting to collect but I also want to shoot the bows that I buy. Given that I purchase bows that are in good condition,should I worry about shooting twenty or thirty arrows with them at a time? I would hate to have my bow and my money blow up in my face!Please if you have any advice,storys, etc. etc.I would appreciate your time Thanks
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Most bow from the 60's and 70's are shooters. Bows from the 50's usually can be shot, but need to be checked. Bows from the 40's usually have been srored in dry ,hot places. These will break if shot very much. Of course there are exceptions to all of these. You take a chance when you shoot any old bow. I have several old bows I do not shoot because they could be scratched or break. I value them too much to take out in the field. I have several I enjoy shooting just to remember the "old days".
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RECURVETD
I knew Durwood Nails, he had a wierd HORSE LAUGH. He was a big field shooter but was also a top indoor shooter. Also Jack Bell who was the distrect rep for NFAA. Scott Townsend, Drew and Helen Nelms, and many others that I cannot recall their names. Brings back memories of the good old days.
TRAD TODD
If you have two or more bows, you ARE a collector. Collecting bows is a hobby in itself. But be careful, it can get expensive.
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Was just perusing all the neat bows that you gents have.Best I have to offer is my Bear Tigercat.Bought it used in 73 but don't know what year it was made.hav'nt shot it for a few years but after reading these posts I guess I'll have to wax the string and give it some "exercise".
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1. all wood Locksley, probably 40's vintage (before Ben Pearson bought them). This is a 30# static recurve that I still shoot.
2. Doug Duncan Zebra Safari Longbow, 60#
Dave in Ft. Collins, CO
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My favorite is a 54#@28" Allegheny Mountain bow built by Bill Kerner. Backup is a 47# Ben Pearson Special.
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I love old bear bows and own several but my favorites are:
Super Kodiak amo60" 45# previously owned
by Joe St Clair.
1963 Kodiak Hunter with Shedua riser
amo58" 42#
Bear Alaskan amo62" 30#
Bear Tamerlane HC-300 amo66"31#
Perhaps the sweetest shooter that I have is a Martin Dreamcatcher with yew limbs signed by Larry Hatfield.
Also have an original Brackenbury Shadow signed by Jim.
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I like the 1960 Kodiaks and Kodiak Deluxes, here is both in all three lengths that they were made...
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/biggriz61/DSC00012.jpg)
I like the 1959 Kodiaks too! Here is a few of them....
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d197/biggriz61/DSC00011.jpg)
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OMG!!
I have a few 55/6's, 57's and 59's, but man o man...those are beauts!!!
I love that design.
Awesome collection!
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My top 3 are:
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Sorry.......My top 3 are: 1. Grumley Bush bow 2. Bear Products longbow 3. 1950 Kodiak #594 Honorable mentions: (3)Bear Archery script bows, 1948 Ranger, 1949 bear Grizzly, (2)1951 Bear Kodiaks, (2)1952 Bear Kodiaks, (3)1953 Bear Kodiaks, (3)1954 Bear Compass Kodiaks (1 walnut, 2 maple, 1956 Bear Kodiak, 1957 Bear Kodiak
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I have over two hundred bows mostly recurves. My favorite is a Nels Grummly found in mint shape hanging in a bedroom closet.Next is a Roy Case rigid recurve and last is a Ben Pearson Signature takedown. I will never try to shoot the Grummly or the Roy Case bow. I love shooting the 58 in. Ben Pearson TD, I have 4 of them. Love to collect. My favorite archery item that I have is a single straight fletcher made by Roy Case. Shane
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GAMEMASTER
As compared to you, I have a small colelction of only about 80 recurves. As I stated at the beginning of the thread, my favorites are my Jack Howard Gamemasters. Since then I have picked up a Brackenbury riser made to take Bear limbs, and a set of Shaffer Silvertip limbs made to go with a Bear Riser. I really like the bow, but the Gamemasters are still my favotites.
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I'm a lefty or wrong arm, most of my bows are left handed. You have a nice quality collection of bows there, alot of mine are hi run models or bows that the company made alot of. I just pick them up when I can. I just made up a bow, Hoyt Stag compound riser with Hoyt foam limbs, came out to 62 in., this recurve shoots well. I shoot mostly Hoyt recurves. Hard to pick just 3 favorites.
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Well I don't have alot of bows.About 25,they are mostly bows I made or friends made.But I do buy every recurve or long bow I can at garage sales,pawn shops or flea markets.The 2 I like the most is a
Bear '63 I-beam,Dogleg,12BC 87,60"@45# mint cond.
GlasLite,Bush Whacker, 50#@28'
My nicest archery piece is a Bear quiver with the Indian in the canoe that Charlie Kroll sighned for me when we were shooting together a year before he passed away
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I had 3 of the Bushwacker bows, two were 50 lb. and one that is a kid's version at 25 lb.,neat looking bows. Four very old Saxon recurves and a Dickies Fireball TD, very odd shaped limbs.
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GameMaster,Yea I thought the Bushwacker was neat looking with that aircraft aluminum riser.I gave $7 for it and one limb was twisted.I had it strung backwards for 4 years and now its straight.
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I sold one to a friend and he shot a spike buck that fall. They are not too fast of a bow but will do the job. I've fixed alot of bows by putting them in a vise and then warming them up with the chosen ones hair-dryer,it works.
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MULLET
I am right there with you on the doglegs. I have three of them and one 52"
I also have 3 '64's which I consider to be the best shooting hunting bow that Bear ever made.
Many of my 80 bows are run of the mill bows that I picked up cheap, but I also have some real collectors items.
My wife looks at my collection and asks how many bows I can shoot at one time. My answer, about as many pairs of shoes that she can wear at one time.
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My favorite bow is my sons bow. It is a Darton Super flight in 30 lb range. He is about to outgrow it. I will be shopping this year for another one.
My bow is a Big River Bow by John McDonald. It is 57# @ 28.
(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n140/702plmo/trad007.jpg)
(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n140/702plmo/trad005.jpg)
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Looks to have a bit of dogleg in it. Pretty bow.
How do you get the bowstring to balance on the tip of a broadhead like that. Interesting.
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The broadheads are stuck in the bottom of the plank. The bow is sitting on top of the fence post. Neat illusion LOL.
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My J.D. Berry " Renaissance" 1st and "Yaweh" 2nd.
I know Jin makes alot of bows. I just havent found anyone who shoots them.
Anyone here shoot a Berry?
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Jerry Pierce Choctaw 48#@27 inches all osage
Bob Thompson Zipper ca. 1989 64#@28 inches
Bob Thompson Zip Stick longbow 1991 49#@28 inches
Bob Thompson Zipper ca. 1996 60#@28 inches
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Ray,could you e-mail me I'd like some info from Dad's bow?