target bows

[park]

Hi i found a couple of target bows for sale and was wondering if somebody could give some info on them.The one is a early howatt catalina and the other is a saunders swift.I did a search and didnt find much but i was wondering what these bows go for ballpark?I was thinking about taking up field archery for fun with the kids and i think these would fit the bill.thanks

[wadde]

The Sanders Swift came in 64 and 68 inches and was $82.00 in 1963. The Catalina came in 66 and 69 inch and was $85.00 in 1963. Lot of money for the time. If you can get them for $100.00 or less each you will be doing good. Condition is important also.

[YORNOC]

I refinished a Sanders Swift a couple years back and sold it on the big auction for 356 dollars.
 

[dkard]

I think i bid on that swift, Didn;t win but it was too cool to not try

dave

[YORNOC]

Yeah, that is some awesome bending for back then. I love the 60's and 70's bows. What an era!

[park]

Thank you everybody for your replys.Im not sure but I dont remember the handle looking like that it was pretty straight.They look like they have never been drilled or anything but could use to be refinished.On that note what the are the chances i could do a good job myself.thank you

[wadde]

The 63 model was pretty much a traditional style recurve bow and not like the one pictured. Different years bred different styles. Same goes for the Catalina.

[Sal]

That swift is amazing! What year is it from?  Did they make them for only one year?

[mahantango]

I have a 68" Swift with red and green laminations, green glass belly and white back, 42#. Possibly the smoothest drawing and shooting recurve I've ever shot.

[C Kerley]

Park you can refinish a bow, I've done several now and for my own use they look awesome.  If it was a truly collectible I'd have someone else do it, but for shooters it's relatively easy if you'll follow bowdoc's 101 thread.

[jackdaw]

David, that Saunders Swift is one rightous bow!!! Back in the heyday of Shade Mountain Bowmen..(early 60's), you were considered "the man" if you showed up with  SAUNDERS BOW!! Root, Staghorn, Gordon, Coe were some of the other "custom"ish bows that were prevalent. Believe it or not...the Bears were considered to be Department store bows..although my father shot a 55 Kodiak for a while before "upgrading " to a Coe!!!! LOL...seriously! Hoyt was a big name then as well...maybe even a Shakespere and Pearson. Once in a while a Bear.....funny how the value of these has "shaken-out" so to speak over the last 45-50 years. The Bears are still quite cvollectable...most of the other names mentioned here...not so much.However..if you don't want that Saunders.....LOL...good thread....John

[YORNOC]

I sold it a couple years back. Heres a Staghorn that I sold too.....
Bear bows WERE dept. store bows!

 

[wadde]

I have old catalogs and they all refer to Sanders Archery Company. Not Saunders. Saunders did make accessories but Sanders made the bows. Just wanted to clear that up.

[YORNOC]

Absolutely.

[AALLFAB]

Wow how did I miss getting that Staghorn a couple years back. Jim

[YORNOC]

It went for over 800 dollars!

[AALLFAB]

I was game but not that game so that explains it. Jim