Browning Cobra/Safari

[Dustin Waters]

What can you guys tell me about the Browning Cobra and Safari bows.  My dad is a driver for FedEx and came across an old hot rod enthusiast that used to shoot recurves.  He said once he got into builing hotrods he put them down and never got them out again.  So my dad asked what he would want for them.  His response, "Ive got a closet full of old stuff you can have for 200"

Im sure there was a swooshing sound as my dad ripped his wallet out and paid the man.

We recieved two bows a
Browning Safari in 42#
Browning Cobra in 45#

Three boxes of old arrows with some funky broadheads attached to them.  I called dibs on the woodies that had the mint Bear Greenheads on them complete with zero rust and bleeders.
 1 box was filled with bear arrows, but they were in a browning arrow box.  Im assuming that browning sold arrows under their label that were made by Bear.  Hopefully someone can tell me more about that transaction.  They had a package of the old converta-point field points and a tube of Bear hot melt glue that had been used but not much.  The cardboard insert said Bear Archery 40-45 on it.  Thats what makes me think they are the old bear aluminum arrows but the browning box is throwing me for a loop.

I thought maybe some of you could clarify that and possibly give me a net value of the two bows and the box of arrows that are marked browning and have the bear insert in them.

Thanks
dustin

[DannyBows]

I've got a Cobra. It's a great bow. I've owned several other Brownings and they were all good bows. Sounds like you got a pretty nice deal. Congrats!

[T.A.C.]

I have a 58" 45# Cobra I get out and shoot now and then. Nice smooth bow and quiet. I'm really only hanging on to it with the thoughts of making it my bowfishing bow. Overall, no complaints about the bow.

[Brock]

The Cobras were shorter bows...I had a Cobra and Cobra II but sold them as too short for my draw and I prefer the Explorers, Explorer I, and Explorer IIs...and the Safaris. Great bows though...and if in good shape will sling an arrow great.

The bows it depends on their condition to be honest. I have bought Browning Nomads and Wasps for $75-175.......and Cobras for %150-200....and my Explorers have been $150 to 300 but every one of them is in MINT condition, now dings or scratches, straight limbs....all but one has the small Harry Drake tips...green glass on Explorers and brown glass on Safari.

If interested shoot me a note and will give email and can send pics ...serial numbers which will give idea of age.  Biggest thing for me is condition of finish, if there are cracks in glass whether they run vertical or horizontal...and how deep they are...if limbs are twisted...if anything was drilled or screwed into riser or limbs and weight of bows at draw length.

Good finds...and if in good shape can hunt with them still. They are fine bows...would love to see pics.

[Gerald Denley]

Cobra was introduced in 1969. The Explorer from 1962-1964 and from 1966-1975. Pics needed to date the bow.

For the record, Harry Drake never designed any early Brownings. Here's a pic comparison of a Drake tip and an early Browning tip. The Browning tip was similar to how Gordon made tips with two layers of fibreglass. The Drake tips had multiple layers of phenolic and were rounded.

[Brock]

all of my Drake tipped Brownings are laminate versions...I dont own any that have solid tips like that.  Still good info to know...thanks

[blacktailbob]

Just noticed...the original post was 11 years ago.

[Brock]

Me too...haha

[blacktailbob]

BUT... the info still applies to today.

[Tom]

I still occasionally hunt from the ground using a little Cobra II-44#@28 but drawn 29.5". Have killed a couple deer-1@4 yards and 1@12yds, fun little bow.