About 1959 when

[MnFn]

I was 7 years old my dad had this duck boat that I really liked. One day I came home from school and my dad informed me he had traded the old duck boat off for a recurve bow and a set of arrows.

I was not too happy about that because I loved that duck boat, even though it was not in the best of shape anymore.

Little did I know how much that event would affect me. As I grew older, my folks bought me a Shakespeare "wonderbow" that I used to shoot a nice 4X4 when I was 20 years old. Since then I have owned a half dozen different bows, and bowhunting is by far the activity that draws me out into the woods every year.

When my dad had quit hunting, I asked about getting that old bow, but he told me he had sold it awhile back.

Then two days ago my nephew showed up on my door step with this.


 

 

He knew I had wanted it and we made a trade which I think both of us were happy with. I got the bow that started it all for me.

If any of you remember an article in the Traditional Bowhunter about Kendall Techau this is the bow that my dad used when he took me and Kendall out bowhunting for deer the first time, when we were eight or nine years old.

I can't read the name on the bow but it starts with an RA. Below the grip it has an R56 which I am assuming is for 56# @28", only because I remembered my dad telling me it was a 56# bow.

I don't know the year of manufacture, but it had to be in the 1950's sometime. Maybe that is what the R56 stands for? Can anyone help me out?  It appears to be in good shape, but I doubt I will take the chance on stringing it as it is probably around 60 years old.
Gary

[Homebru]

"R" for right handed?  56 for 56# draw weight?

Nice bow and excellent story.
homebru

[ron w]

Pretty cool....being the same age as you I can relate to your feelings for that old bow. My Uncle got me interested at about the same time. Like I said.....pretty cool!!  

[Sockrsblur]

Awesome!!!

[shadman]

Cool! I remember shooting field archery in the 50's. The shoots were well attended. George Stout would probably be able to give you information on that bow. Check on Stikbow with him.

[Shawn Leonard]

I would definitely string it up and shoot it. I have bows that are 60 plus years old and they shoot fine. Flex it a bit and limber it up and take it too the woods. That is what it was made for and how cool would it be to make a kill with it!! Very nice story! Shawn

[Todd Alexander]

I'm with Shawn.  I hope you can string her up and take to the woods with the spirit of your Dad walking beside you!

Todd

[Thumper Dunker]

Now that's cool.

[MnFn]

Thanks for the responses. Shawn and Todd, you have convinced me to give it a try- next year.

I remember the arrows he had were three blade Bodkins I think, with barred fletch and plain cedar arrows finished. I tried to find them, but apparently they were all use up.

[VictoryHunter]

Very cool!

[Knawbone]

I agree, use the mojo thats in the bow. I was born in 1959 and I need a little limbering up from time to time. I still shoot pretty good though, and I'm sure that bow can too. Get one for DAD  

[PowDuck]

Originally posted by Knawbone:
I was born in 1959 and I need a little limbering up from time to time.    

Haha. X2