Martin ML-14 ovangkol??

[bucksbuouy]

I recently picked up a bow off ****, sold to me as the Martin ML-14 with ovangkol riser, elm limbs. The story was that a bowyer ordered 14 bow blanks from Martin Howatt and never picked them up. Martin finished them and sold them. The thing is, the limbs, as far as I can tell are the same wood as the riser. I could be wrong, but I doubt it. Im wondering if the story about the bowyer is just speculation and these bows were just a prototype or something. Any insight on this would be appreciated.
Jason

[JRY309]

Thats a tough one,you may have to call the Damon Howatt factory and see if they might have a record of the bows.I have seen a few different custom bows from them,like a carbon backed Savannah.Do you have any pictures?

[Robertfishes]

I think ovangkol is also know as shedua,the elm veneers should be Red Elm.. I had a ML-14 back in 1993 and if I remember correctly it had Zebrawood veneers and riser

[John Whitaker]

Hey Jason,
I'm the one who listed that bow on ****. I will PM you the info for the place that I purchased it from (who had it listed the way I did) they seem to sell a lot of the new old stock Martin bows and I've seen several of the bow for sale with the same description. I spoke at length with Leo Markert (longbowleo) who had mentioned that it was a highly unusual Mountaineer and one he had never seen either.

John

[bucksbuouy]

Hey John,
Thanks a lot. I will look into that. Dont think I dont believe you. I just found another one of these bows for sale and they said it had ovangkol limbs and riser. Honestly I dont think anyone really knows       The story and the mystery behind it was one of the reasons I bought it. Ill be calling Martin today. By the way it shoots great but man it is a beast. Again, Im really happy with it. Its my first traditional bow that was not a hand me down and I dont care what the story is.
thanks again brother
Jason

[bucksbuouy]

Robertfishes- yes sir, ovangkol, shedua, black hyadua, amazeque, they call it the wood with the most names. If the limbs are red elm Ill be happy. I believe it to be the fastest bow wood. If the limbs are ovankol Ill be happy because its different. Ultimately, I dont care. Im just curious.

[bucksbuouy]

Well I called martin archery today and they were able to tell me it was custom made in 2001, but were unable to tell me anything else. So the mystery goes on...

[John Whitaker]

Here are some pictures that I took of the bow, maybe someone with an eye for wood species can help out.
John

 
 
 
 
 

[bucksbuouy]

its funny to see my bow on the internet hahaha