American archery recurve

[RunninWild77]

Hey guys, I was browsing through the local listings here, not on tradgang, and came across an American Archery recurve, never heard of one, but the dude wants $500 for it!! Its 58" 47# nice looking bow, but not for $500!! Anyone know much about these? What's it really worth, might consider talking the guy down..

[wadde]

American archery started out in Clarendon Hills, Il. in the 50's. Mostly longbows and a few recurves called Amarco. They moved to Oconto Falls, WI. in the early 60's and made many different models from hunting to target bows. Jerry Kramer from the Packers was a partner in the Co. and there was a model called the Rookie that had his signature(not autograph) on it. I do not know of any model that they made that would be worth $500.00 today.

[RunninWild77]

Thanks for the info guys, I sometimes laugh at people who think they have a collectible and think they can retire on it. I doubt it even be worth trying to give the guy an offer. Sometimes it's not even worth wasting your breath.

[papabear08]

I concur with Steve. Most American bows are $100-$200 and that's for super good ones. I once had one that belonged to Chuck Ramsey who was a broadcaster on the Green Bay TV station. It was signed to him. I believe Art LaHa was involved with the company also.

[wadde]

Yes Art LaHa was involved in the company. I spoke with Jerry Kramer at length one evening over dinner about the company. He said the demise of the company was a salesman who was pushing bows and the quality of the bows had to be lowered to keep up with the demand he was creating. It is a long and interesting story and some day I will go into more detail. The bottom line is they did make some real nice bows in the early 60's. I have a couple of the target models in the original cases that would be the most expensive today.  I doubt they would bring 500.00 today.

[jr1959]

My late brother told me he paid over $100 for his in mid 60's.  You could go into the Claredon Hills plant and try out different riser designs and they would make it to your specs.  The local archers preferred them over Bear bows.  The shorter models stacked quite a bit.  The 62"-64" pull smooth and are fast.  You should be able to find one for $75-$150.  Jim

[stagetek]

wadde is right. LaHa was involved in American Archery. I thought they were made in WI. I know Whiffen Archery sold them for a while. I think they made a compound too. I would say in great shape 75-150 bucks for the recurves.

[wadde]

They did make some pretty elaborate target bows that would bring 250.00 to 350.00 today.

[RunninWild77]

This wasn't a target recurve, it looked similar to my Hoyt, but had some white over lays on the front and back of the rise kinda like a bear. It was looker, but like I said I think the guy was trying to retire on it. Seems like one of those cases of "these are collectable and lets see how much I can make on it" deals you know.

[Roddo]

The June 1968 issue of Archery World has Green Bay Packers Nitschke,Caffey, Kramer and Dale on the cover all as bowhunters. The article lists both Jerry Kramer and Art Laha as owners.

[hardbern]

Supposedly, back in the 50's (not sure which year exactly) Crescenzo Forte from Galashiels, Scotland went to work for American Archery in Clarendon Hills.
Here's his obit & possibly a bow attributed to him.
 Forte  
Anybody familiar with him in the US?