Martin Hatfield II Takedown Recurve ?

[Winterhawk1960]

Hello,
I have been absent from the traditional world for the past 35 years and am wanting to get back into shooting traditional. I went and looked at a Martin Hatfield II Takedown Recurve this evening. It is 62" and 55lbs at 29 inches draw. Does anyone know what the bow would be worth, and any opinions on it would be appreciated also.

Winterhawk1960

[Alex.B]

3rivers archery lists the Hatfield at $769.99
Martin online store at $830.00....OUCH!!
you can get a much better bow for 1/2 the price right here on the tradgang classifieds

[Winterhawk1960]

Thanks....Alex
Upon re-reading my post I neglected to say that the bow is  used and is probably about 10 years old. The guy selling it hasn't been able to shoot it for about 3 years now. He said that he strung it up and tried to shoot a few arrows last summer and his shoulder (rotator cuff) just couldn't take it. I also forgot to mention that he told me that I could have it for $50. To be honest, it sounded like one of those deals where things were "Too good to be true". I scanned the bow over (as closely as a rookie could) and couldn't find anything wrong with it. It does have some moleskin on the upper parts of the limbs that he said really cut down on noise, and he had added a stick on quiver mounting bracket and a threaded stabilizer to it but I can easily remove those. I just don't see how I can go wrong for only $50, the only stipulation that he gave me was to give it a good home and to use it. Does this sound like a deal that can be passed up? Probably not.....unless someone posts something that I don't know about, and that is possible because I don't know squat about recurves these days. As I said, I'm just wanting to get back into shooting the way that I started out so many years ago. Thanks for posting and come on fella's.....fill me in on this make and model of bow. I'm all ears.

Winterhawk1960

[Son of Texas]

I shot one for 10 or 15 years they are good shooting
bows. The reason I got rid of it was I went to a longbow, buy it.

[beaver#1]

50 bucks?unless you are extremly stressed for money i would get it

[Alex.B]

50$$$ ?? well then, the only reason you should NOT buy it, is if it's broke in 1/2  

[d. ward]

Heck yes for 50.00 if she don't work out sell it and go for another and then another and then another...pretty soon you will be right back into it....Welcome to the gang....bowdoc

[vermonster13]

What's his phone number? LOL For $50 you'd be crazy not to. The weight may give you some issues after such a long lay-off but just go slow and work back into it. Most of all, have fun!

[Joseph]

Those are good bows and for $50.00 a real steal!  Joseph

[nutmeg]

Check it out thouroughly, even with a magnifing glass. Check for limb twist and limb bolt alignment. If it passes muster, grab it and be very, very happy.(nut)  :D        :D

[riivioristo]

I had a Hatfield with same specs-only 55# at 28 draw and I was very pleased with the bow. It took harsh abuse and was very trustable companion for
seven years...untill someone lowlife stole it some years back...still missing that bow. So my advice is DONT HESITATE, IF SHE IS OKAY JUST BUY HER!! And goncratulations for stepping to the traditional path!

[Apex Predator]

They will sell all day long for $350-400.  Get it now!!!!  They are great bows by the way.

[Winterhawk1960]

I just got back from picking up the bow. I took some pictures and posted them to my flickr account. I can't for the life of me figure out HOW to post pictures here......SO.....I will leave the link to my flickr account here and anyone that wants to take a look can. PLEASE leave a comment on this thread if you go take a look. I need to clean it up and probably will have some questions as to how to go about that. THANK-YOU....everyone for commenting.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/winterhawk/

Winterhawk1960

[Ned]

Wow. You did good. Great bow!

[chuck172]

Let us know if it has the alignment pins. It takes a 58" dacron string. 3 rivers archery sells them for about 6 bucks. B-50 16 strand.
Make sure you use a bow stringer. Make sure the limbs are snug, not too tight, but not lose when you string the bow. What's your draw length? You'll probably use 2018 or 2117 arrows. You'll need feathers not vanes.

[Winterhawk1960]

chuck172......

It has the pins. Actually, it's kinda funny. The guy that I bought it from kept telling me to take it down to a local bowshop and get a fast-flite string put on it. I told him that some of the older bows weren't built to take a fast-flite string and that I was going to ask around before putting one on it. Now I have to get me a few arrows.....and a glove to be able to shoot it. One of my next questions was going to be which arrows should I get, but you already answered me....Thanks. I'm itching to shoot it. It's kinda like a kid having a new toy and he can't play with it yet because ALL the parts aren't there.

Winterhawk1960

[chuck172]

I don't think you need fastflight. Stick with the dacron. The arrows you need will depend on your draw length, we know it's 55#, pt. weight can be 125 to start. Limb pins mean its not the older, less valueable style. You got a great bow there.

[Shawn Leonard]

If it is newer than a early 90's which it looks like a FF material will be fine go with a 12 strand D-97 or TS-1. You did very well and now enjoy it!! Shawn

[riivioristo]

Oh man, just like watching old fiend-zebrawood inlays and all-what you can say about the pictures she is in top condition! I would not risk anything with FF string-those couple of feets
you gain aint worth risking her limb tips I think.
If there is any reason you dont like her, let me know...but as said-congratulations and enjoy the arrows she casts!

[wtpops]

Contact Martin and give them the ser # they can tell you if it is fast flight or not, then there will be no question. This was my first bow, my wife paid 80.00 at a yard sail. It was an older one with the ball bearings, not the pins, loved that bow i still think about it now and then.