older black widows

[Jon Stewart]

Any info on the older solid color black widows, age and approx. value?

[wadde]

I can help with serial numbers for age if you like. The solid colors like black and white were from the 50's. If you have a serial number I can give a year. I have a white one from the 50's called "The Ghost"

[Jon Stewart]

I don't have them yet.  Our older friend that died's daughter called me last night and wants to give me the two bows.  Don't know if I want them or not.  If I decided to take them I will contact you with the serial numbers.

Anyone ever strip the paint off to see what is underneath?

[Babbling Bob]

Some of the early black widows were made in the beginning 1960's.  Both my archery instructors, one of which was a two time NFAA Champion had the Wilson Brothers make them black painted widows with their name on them at that time.  Walnut was one wood used for the riser, but the Wilson Brothers also painted them other colors like dark red or white.  Used to see a lot of them at the regional NFAA shoots like the Southwest Open where a lot of the top shooters of the time showed up including the Wilson Brothers.  The limbs were skinny but the handle forward made a great shooting bow.  I like the rosewood of the Bears, so I elected to shoot Bear target bows instead and did not like the looks of the painted widows, but I would not take off the paint if I had one now.

[Buemaker]

Hello. Perhaps someone can tell me which year this onepiece Black Widow was made.
The serial number is 6362.
On the belly of the lower limb it is written;
66"
#6362
41@28
Black Widow
x-85
Handcrafted
for
Charles Wolf
Oslo
by
Wilson Bros. Springfield, Mo
The riser is still in good shape and seem to have been made from Mahogany wood with a couple of light contrast stripes.
The limbs are in bad shape, they had both delaminated and tried glued back together without much success. I might make new limbs for it is a BW. Than you. Bue--.

[Rabob]

Buemaker:

According to the serial number your bow was made in 1962.That was also the first year for the
X-85.In 1963 the X-85 was a horn model and stayed that way.According to the literature the woods used were black walnut and for a little more money you could get Brazilian rosewood.

Regards,Ray

[Buemaker]

Thank you. Bue--.