Howat target bow

[Shaun]

My dentist brought me this bow (must have felt guilty about my out of pocket new gold tooth) as well as a mechanical contraption (like a bow but different) by Oneida. These belonged to his dad and he said they were just gathering dust at the cabin.

This is a 70" 36@28 Matador by Howat. I'm a hunter, but unless someone has a good recipe for tacks this thing's only potential is for showing off at the local indoor range.

 

 

Amazing piece of wood (rosewood?) in the giant riser.

 

Any info on this bow would be well received. Thanks

[Big Riser]

Nice bow !!!!!!!!! thanks for sharing

[jcar315]

Shaun, Nice bow. That is a super cool decal!! Love the bull fighter!!!!!

[NumPls]

I figure that the best way to get HowattMan and/or HowattFan to chime in is to say something incorrect, so here I go!

The Matador came in two "models", one with a black-stained maple riser and the one that you have. Other than the riser wood, the models were identical. They both have a VERY long riser (~35 in) and relatively short limbs.  

I was told (I have not been able to confirm whether or not this is true, thought, so here I go spreading a rumor) that the riser wood was canary wood. I do not recall ever seeing canary wood, so I cannot say one way or another.

[PAPALAPIN]

Hey...I get to correct NUMPLES... a very rare opportunity for me.    

The riser wood is Paduka Wood...whatever that is.

The black models were not Phenolic.  As Ray stated, they are stained black. I have one of these black stained models.  I assume Ray is correct about it being stained maple, I don't know.

The silver studs sticking out of the riser were for tuning the balance of the riser.  To the best of my knowledge, this was the only bow to ever have these. Both upper and lower unit were dialable to get the perfect balance.  This was such fine tuning that I doubt anyone ever fooled with it.

During that time period, all manufacturors were coming out with their own gimmicks for precission shooting.  Some made it...some didn't...this one didn't.

Hoyt had the "Touque Flight Compensators", Bear had the "Omni Coupler System" and the Phenolic risers, Pearson had the "Mercury Cushions".  Most all of them had the inserts for stabelizer rods with each supplying it's own style of stabelizers.

In any case, the Matador had such a huge riser, just the mass of the bow did a lot for "stabilizing " the shot.  It is a very stable shooting platform.

Your's seems to be in great shape.  I would considere it to be a real collectible because I don't think too many were made.

If he checks in, I am sure Howattman can shed more light, and possibly correct my mistakes too.

[Shaun]

Thanks guys. Yes, the chrome stabilizers have locking collar and can be moved out about 2" with marking on them for repeatable positioning. I thought they just collapsed so that it would go in the case, but it makes sense that one could "balance" the bow by adjusting them.

It has a leather based flipper wire elevated rest that is missing the wire. Otherwise it seems pristine. I will find a similar rest and fix it up this winter. I bet a 1916 aluminum will fly good from the 36# draw. It also had some kind of sight on the belly side and I may try to replace that as well, though sights don't help me that much.

Off to chase elk around the Rockies for a couple weeks. Back in mid Sept.

[d. ward]

Now thats a bow those are some super shooters look good and shoot good what more could you ask for.bd

[PAPALAPIN]

Shaun

Back in the day I shot a 37# Tamerlane with a 27=1/2" drar.  I shot 1816's with 4 fletcj 3-1/2 feathers, and they were perfect