Please help ID this Howatt Ventura's age.

[ncheels]

Here is a bow I was told was a Howatt Ventura recurve.  It has HVV/9 listed on it.  Anyone recognize this bow and have any idea of it's age?
   Thanks for any help.  This is the only picture they had of it.

 

[wadde]

I would say it is a Howatt Ventura and only guessing around 1965.

[Hobow]

The riser looks like a Ventura and the serial # seems right for a Ventura.  The radius on the rear edge of the sight window along with the NE Plus Ultra decal that you can barely see in the photo makes me think it's 1963 or so.  Great shooter just like all the Howatts that I have.

[wadde]

It would have to be post 63-64 or pre 63 as it was not offered in the 63-64 catalog.

[Hobow]

Good call wadde.      

The Ventura is listed in the Damon Howatt ad on page 17 in the January 1964 issue of Archery magazine as part of "The Great New 1964 Line from HOWATT"

[ncheels]

I appreciate the info guys.  I'm considering getting it and am waiting for more info on it's condition.

[ncheels]

Here is a new pic of the bow that was just sent to me.   Does this help confirm the suggested age?

   

[ncheels]

I would tend to believe that as well.  Here's what he told me:
  "NO TO TWIST OR STRESS CRACKS-EXCESS OF RUNS IN FINISH COATING
HOWATT STARTED MAKING BOWS IN 1938.I BELIEVE THIS GREEN GLASS WAS THE EARLIER LIMB COATING AND THE BRUSH STROKES MAY BE EVIDENT. THE YELLOW AND WHITE LIMBS ARE USUALLY ON BOWS MARKED WITH THE DAMON HOWATT LOGO."

He thinks the excess runs of finish coating and brush strokes are from being an "early model".  But I would tend to think that someone did a poor re-coating job.

[wadde]

A lot of guys slapped new varnish on there bows back in the 60's. This one is a good example of that. It is still a good bow and worth picking up. They don't make them anymore and are collectable in any condition.

[ncheels]

Agreed Wadde.  I do plan to get it but will try to use that for a little better deal : )  

Now back to the age question.  Now that you can see the model #, does that give any more detail to it's specific age?  
Or is it still only "post 63-64 or pre 63 as it was not offered in the 63-64 catalog"?

I'd just want to know for my personal knowledge.  Thanks.

[tuscarawasbowman]

Originally posted by wadde:
A lot of guys slapped new varnish on there bows back in the 60's. This one is a good example of that. It is still a good bow and worth picking up. They don't make them anymore and are collectable in any condition.

See told you I might be wrong    
In all seriousness I would listen to Wadde he has a lot more knowledge than I do.

[wadde]

I know a little but the more I learn the less I know. A safe bet would be 64-65. I don't know anything about Howatt serial numbers. There are some guys out there that can tell from the serial numbers, maybe they will chime in.

[ncheels]

Guys, here are a couple more pics.  There are some chips on this bow and I want to know if these chips, which are on the limbs, cause any potential hazard.  I wouldn't care much if they were on the riser but please tell me if chips on the limbs are something that needs fixing, as I plan to shoot this bow if I get it.  

Thanks a lot.

 
   

[Gila Mike]

I'm not an expert but ... with an intact Ne Plus Ultra logo, I'd be inclined to think 1963, or earlier.

I read somewhere, either on TradGang or another forum, that after Damon Howatt died, the older logos continued to be used on several models until the supplies were exhausted. As they ran out, the new logos took over.

Perhaps Larry Hatfield or one of the other knowledgable Howatt experts can confirm or correct that for us. I'd really like to know for sure as I have some 1960s Howatt bows too.

Mike

[Blackhawk]

I believe that during that era, the first digit of the serial indicated or identified the bowyer and the second digit identified year (hence 1963).  

A little later, maybe mid-60's, Howatt dropped the bowyer ID method and the first number became year of mfg.  My guess is this change happened due to the assembly-line method of bow mfg. at Howatt as different workers performed various tasks in building one bow.