As the title says, it's been a few years since I've done much with traditional archery, kids grow up, wives come and go, even had all (and I mean ALL) my gear stolen little over a year ago. But, recently stumbled on to a very, VERY nice bow for a price I couldn't pass up, even if I needed to buy lite beer for a month. So, now I have a bow again. Have some shafts waiting for me to fletch, need a glove and to make a stringer and I'll be shooting again.
So, what is this bow you may be wondering? Well, one fine Sunday morning not too far in the past i decided to take the entire family out for breakfast, then to the flea market to waste half the day. We start wandering around, kids finding everything pokemon, me looking at tools and junk, when I come across a seller who obviously buys storage units. Perusing through his wares, I see a cheap 1990s junior sized compound bow, kinda neat, not worth anything, when my child #3 behind me says "dad, heres a bow for you." I turn around and immediately recognized the quality. It's got some age, is made of all Osage with perfect tapers, is of ASL size with just a hint of R/D, has a B50 string looped on it, clear glass lams on back and belly. No arrow shelf cut, which seemed a little off, but it was a beautiful bow in excellent shape.
I examine it closer and hand drawn in permanent ink are two arching, rudimentary looking pine trees with the words Great Northern stylistically written above it.
"NO WAY." I think to myself.
A glance at the lower limb shows the length, weight and draw, serial number and "handmade for..." someone's name.
It's true, this is a legit Great Norther Critter Gitter, 64" and 51lbs @ 27"!
I spin around and look for the seller to ask how much, fully expecting he at least looked up the brand and model to see how much they go for, when he almost apologetically says "$50. Those are nice bows with some selling for hundreds of dollars."
Yeah, well, you could say that again!
Playing the flea market game I counter with $40. He says, sorry I just cant go lower than $50. I have the cloth sleeve for storing it, too. (!!!)
So, trying to keep my poker face, I reluctantly pull out my last three $20 bills and make it mine! I was screaming in my head! Did i really just get this bow for $50?! Yes. Yes I did. And I had zero qualms telling the kids they weren't getting any more pokemon cards that day.
After getting this home, I fired of an email to Bob Brumm at great norther. He tells me this bow was made in March 1992 by his dad Jerry. He said it's likely the only one ever made with no shelf cut, if not, then very few other even exist like it. Happy to be back at it!
Topic: Been a few years, but I'm back (Read 774 times)
