Red Wing Hunter Grip Angles / Serial Numbers

[Fisher Cat]

My first "real bow" was an AMF 35# Red Wing Hunter bought new in the early 70s.  After taking it out and shooting it again recently, I' ve decided the grip fits me better than any bow I own.  Since it shoots good too, I've been looking for an identical one in 50# or more draw weight.

I recently saw one (also an AMF) on another website that the seller was calling a "Larry."   He thought it was specifically made for Larry's Archery Shop because the serial number began with the letters "LA."  After examining the pictures, I believe the grip angle on his bow is alot lower than mine.  Might the "LA" stand for "Low Angle?"

Are any of you familiar with grip variations on these bows?  Is there a guide for decoding the serial numbers?  I noticed mine ends in "-G," which I assume stands for "gloss," because the finish is quite shiny.  I'd like to know for sure.  Thanks - John

[TonyW]

This 58" 45# AMF Red Wing Hunter LH-128 must be Larry's brother, Lamar. It sold online a couple of weeks ago. The seller said:
Here is a vintage WING archery recurve bow.This one is a little unique I believe it is a  RED WING HUNTER that was made for an archery shop at some point could be a one of a kind bow.It looks to be a red wing hunter but is labeled LAMAR'S HUNTER and has a different looking serial number.This is a right handed bow 58" and 45# draw weight.The bow is in very good condition and shoots great.It does have a few marks and a few light scratches from being used and someone had drilled 2 holes in the riser to mount a sight at some point,nothing that affects the bow and how it shoots just cosmetic.The limbs are straight,no stress cracks,tips are nice.The string is NOT included with this one it is worn out,so you will need to get a string for it.Pretty neat bow in nice shape.Please look at the pics to see what you are bidding on.Thanks

[TonyW]

 
 

[Fisher Cat]

Wow, that is very similar.  Thanks for posting it Tony.   I think the serial number on the one I saw was LA-256.  The seller did not post pictures of words on the limb.  Both of these seem to have a noticeably lower grip angle than mine.

Hey Tony, I was only 11 or 12 years old, but, although we lived near Towson (which had its own archery shop), we made a special trip to an archery store that carried Red Wing Hunters.  I'm pretty sure it was in Dundalk (Hon).  I remember they had 30 -50 bows in a rack along a counter and every one of them was aRed Wing Hunter.  I don't suppose you know anything about a shop like that?  Sure was a hell of a memory and a big deal for a kid that age. - John

[TonyW]

Grew up on the West side of the county and got my first real bow at Barts in Glen Burnie. Barts was filled with Bears. Still remember holding the Griz for the first time and being dazzled by all the choices.
I can find out about your shop - the core of Dundalk hasn't changed, just grown.

[Fisher Cat]

Tony, Sorry my memory is so vague.  The shop was not local for me and I left Maryland a couple of years later.  Glen Burnie rings a bell and "Barts" sounds kind of familar too.  I thought all the bows I saw were. Red Wing Hunters , but I could be mistaken.  Yeah, "Barts" sounds very familiar...  The thing I remember most vividly was having poison ivy so bad from bowfishing in Loch Raven Reservoir,  I had oozing sores all over my legs.  Probably the reason I got such a nice birthday present was my parents felt so bad for me.  It's a good thing they didn't know how many times I nearly drowned, how many moving boxcars I shot arrows into etc. etc. - Yeah, I really think it was Barts.  Thanks a lot! John

[Kelly]

Wing made bows for lots of companies besides themselves-Colt Archery is on that comes to mind.