OK at least were getting somewhere, I spoke with Larry today , we are going to sit down and put something together to help date Howatts, both before and after Martin.
Lon, we are both correct! Seems that I was correct with before 1962 models , they used the first # for the bowyer and after 61 they went to the first # of the serial is for the last # of the year, in 60 and 61 they did the first # is the bowyer then the date as I stated.
Then it gets tricky, larry is going to help me put together a list based on models , wood choices ect.
They did not distinguish between 1964 and 1974 the both started with a 4, this is where knowing model offered and what woods for that year will be important .
Stay tuned more to come.
Thanks for the help Larry.