Would a Ben Pearson Stallion have FG limbs?

[M_Kanzler]

Would a Ben Pearson Stallion (Cat 974, Serial #J-739) have Fiberglass limbs?

I'm looking at possibly buying one as a first traditional bow, and was wondering. Also wondering what it might be worth paying (it's old but in pretty decent shape - a few scuffs like you'd expect from being in a closet with other "junk") from what I can see in the pictures.

It's only 40 lb draw... which may feel like a lot to me (I have a 50 lb old technology compound bow that feels about right - heavy but manageable w/o poor form)

Thanks!

[PAPALAPIN]

Yes,,,it does have fiberglass limbs.

stallion had two styles, depending on thr age,

The Earlier models were slick on the back lie BP Hunters or Red Wing Hunters

Later models had integral stabelizers or "horns' on the back of the bow.

Ben Person Bows are solid shooters if in good condition but don't carry the same value of Bears and Wings.

The value is relatuve depending on the age, the model, and mostly the condition.

My "guess" would be between $50 to $100, others may disagree.

Is this a direct sale or an auction situation?

40# should be a good starting weight for the average beginner.  You want to stay light for your first bow until you can develope proper form and shooting techniques.  You need to find an experienced trad guy  around you to help you get your form and techniques down.  It is different than a whellie bow.

[M_Kanzler]

It's a Fleabay auction.

There is an archery range/club not too far from here
KBH -  Kitsap Bow Hunters .

I'm not sure how many people shoot traditional there, and whether they know what they are doing or not. We went there to look what it's like one weekday afternoon - there were 3 people shooting.

One of them was shooting a recurve - had on a back quiver that had very nice looking wood arrows with turkey feathers (looked like they were new but styled from 100 years ago).

He wasn't very friendly. I said Hi & How's it going... he just said "good" or "fine" and ignored the four of us. Looked like he had stopped by on the way home from work... he had on a uniform like an auto mechanic might wear, with the name patch & everything. He just wasn't interested in talking.

The other people were friendy. One gave us a short tour and told us we could walk the field archery range and check out the (primitive) campground.

They have a huge indoor range, an outdoor range, and a 28 position field archery range that meanders through the woods (with some very tough looking shots!)

I was planning to eventually ask if anyone on this forum goes there, or would like to meet there to show us some pointers.

My daughter did archery at summer camp a few weeks ago... that's what led to all of this madness. We might put our kids in 4H Club Archery up in Bremerton. It would count as P.E. for their homeschool curriculum.

[PAPALAPIN]

That bow is even a generation older than I was thinking.  That ******s on being a collectors item.

It seems to be in decent shape and should be a decent shooter as a firest bow.  At the price it is going I would say it is a great buy.

As a shooter I would nsay about $50.  As a collectible it could be worth a lot more depending on whon wants iot and what it is worth to them.

If you get it, use it to learn with.  When you step up to another bow, DO NOT SELL IT!!!

It will be the first bow of your new interest in collecting old bows.  What?...Younsay you have no interest in collecting?...Thats just because you have not been infected with the desease yet...Trust me, you will be.

If I were you I would go for it.

[M_Kanzler]

I have a chronic problem with collecting... so I know I will keep it if I buy it. I still have an old Paul Bunyan 25 lb fiberglass bow I got as a kid - used - from my brother... no telling how old that one is. It's what I shoot right now until I finish the arrow rest on my compound bow (long story).

It may not really even be a Stallion - but when I looked up the cat no. that was what it was called in some of the info. This one may date to before they started giving them names?

I always wonder if I'll shoot myself in the foot by asking about an auction - with the way my luck has been on this so far, I could just see myself alerting someone to a good deal and getting outbid!

But I figure being a low draw weight it might not be desirable to experienced archers.

I'll let y'all know what happens (unless I forget... just ask here, if you care, and I'll get the email notification) I just started a new job, so things are a little crazy (hazy?) right now.

[PAPALAPIN]

To collector's, it will hav evalue if they like the old Pearsons.

Most of the guys here will honor your find, but some will jumpa ahead of you.  Unless you know their secret e*ab ID, you won't even know it is one of us unless they post it here.

I am not downing anyone for this.  Once you have aleerted them, it is fair game.

If you want it.  you best deleat the e8ay reference.

Alls fair at love and bow collecting, including not letting anyone know about it.

As for your Paul Bunyun, it may not be worth $10 but you never let it go.  Thats where you got started.  I still have my old Ben Pearson Super Jet that I got 51 years ago at age 13.

No money values to it...just sentimantal.

[Howattfan]

I have 1965 Stallion and I love it!  40#, I got it at a gun show for $20.  It was covered in ugly paint.  A real good looking bow once I refinished it.  Good luck.

Dave

[ksbowman]

I've owned and shot alot of Pearson bows, including a couple that I can't put down right now, although I have several modern high line bows that others might think I'm crazy for not using.My personal opinion is they are a very underated bow that shoot very well.  Ben

[M_Kanzler]

It is starting to go up... not likely I can keep up with the bidding.

I was starting to grow attached to it just at the thought of having it for my own.      :(    
I like that it is pretty long, since I was originally  trying to get a longbow .

Oh well. Maybe it'll slow down for awhile. I might
decide to expand my budget a bit.    

I did want to ask though... does it hurt the value to refinish one?
Can you get the decals to replace them after refinishing it to restore it to original new condition?

[PAPALAPIN]

If the finish is in decent shape  it mwy devalue the bow to refinish it.  If it is really, really, really, bad, then the value is down anyway and a refinish may increasen the value.

I know the Bear decals are available from someone on this forum.  I don't know about th Peardons

[M_Kanzler]

I got outbid on it.

Someone with a zero feedback rating... Maybe someone who created a new I.D. to be anonymous?

Lesson learned.

Next time I'll have to be more discrete.

[PAPALAPIN]

Probably a first time bidder.

Don't fret...there will be another decent bow comming up/

How much did it go for?

[Warberg]

GOOD TO SEE ANOTHER TRADGANGER IN WA... DO A SEARCH ON the real bowdoc,, if you have one soon to refinish,, he might also have a great starter bow for ya,, WERE GETTIN READY TO GO HUNTIN IN FEW WEEKS, SO SHOOT HIM A PM SOON,, OR IT COULD BE A WHILE BEFORE WERE BACK,,BEST WISHES,,

[M_Kanzler]

It went for $81.43 with shipping.

I was already beyond my budget, so it may be for the better. But I liked the shape of that one - a little more longbow-ish than some recurves I've seen.

I guess it's partly an emotional decision (based on aesthetics)

 

Originally posted by Warberg:
GOOD TO SEE ANOTHER TRADGANGER IN WA... DO A SEARCH ON the real bowdoc,, if you have one soon to refinish,, he might also have a great starter bow for ya,, WERE GETTIN READY TO GO HUNTIN IN FEW WEEKS, SO SHOOT HIM A PM SOON,, OR IT COULD BE A WHILE BEFORE WERE BACK,,BEST WISHES,,

If you guys are ever in the Bremerton area and going to an archery range, lemme know. If I can, I'll meet up with y'all.

I'll try to find him, but it may be on tyhe weekend - I'm using most of my online time on fleabay. If you talk to him, have hime send me an email (it's in my profile) or a PM if he has anything that might suit me.

[M_Kanzler]

Are Locksley bows a pretty safe beargain?
I know they were made by Ben Pearson as a budget
line of bows... do they age well?

[Warberg]

Mr Kanzler, sent u a PM<  I have a mid 50's Bear Cub,, 41# dual shelf, And as mentioned ok starter bow with collector value..All original, And also semi recurve as you were lookin for,, Be happy to send phone pics tomorrow,,Best wishes,, Warberg

[M_Kanzler]

Well, I bought one I had been watching on fleabay... Item 170527963551
A Darton Range 58" (shorter than I really hoped for) in 45-50#

I hope I got a good value.

[PAPALAPIN]

Nothing wrong with a Darton Ranger as a starter bow.  They were not choice bows back in the day, but they are solid bows and have stood the test of time.

Locksley bows were made by Ben Pearson, but not necessarily budget line

Most were actual Pearson Models with different names marketed under a secondary brand name

The Pearob Cougar was the Same Bow as the Locksley Puma.

The Locksley Wildcat was the same thing as the Pearson Hunter.

The Pearson Javalina had a Locksley conterpart.

Locksley bows are every bit as good as Pearons.  Both are very under rated jn value but are solid shooters.

[Warberg]

Good lookin,, Hang on to it no matter what,,  Happy shootin, Best wishes

[M_Kanzler]

The Locksley I was watching is a Razorback (0966) - 66" 48 lb.
It looks a lot like the Pearson Collegian from what I can see (with my inexperienced eye).

The Darton I got says it comes with a string and a case.
There were no pictures of the case, so no telling if it is useful or not... but the seller has 100% feedback with over 11000 entries, so chances are good that it isn't just junk.

I doubt I'd ever sell it.
I ended up paying $58.80 with shipping (the seller found a less expensive way to ship it - and I didn't ask until after the auction was closed - so you can see why he has 100% FB)

I still haven't gotten a refund for that broken longbow I bought from Wolf Archery    :mad:    

It's good to now deal with someone who is going
above and beyond! It will really restore my faith (once I see the bow - I don't count my chickens until they are cooked and on the table).

Thanks everyone who helped out - a couple of people PM'd me with offers to sell me some bows that they have - and I really appreciated the offers, and all of the information too.

When I did research on the Darton bow my Daughter was interested in bidding on, most of the feedback I got was that they are a good solid bow that shoots pretty good. When I saw this one as a "Buy it Now" I waited anxiously for a couple of others I had been watching to finish up - hoping this one wouldn't be gone in the meantime.

I'll have to report cack once I shoot it. I'm a little worried it might be too much draw weight for me, but I'll just have to get in shape if that's the case.