Trad Gang
Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: WingNuts on May 05, 2003, 09:20:00 PM
-
Hi To All--
My name is Bob Gosdeck. I collect Wing Archery Bows. Red Wing Hunters. I am kind of new to this type of form. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate. I will do my best. Thanks (http:// www.american-hunter.com/bob_gosdeck_2.jpg )
Bob aka WingNuts
-
Hi Bob!
Thanks for coming over and visiting.
:bigsmyl:
-
Bob,
In the other thread you mentioned the serial numbers for the RWH. What does the serial numbers tell you about the bows. Does the configuration indicate certain manufacturing periods or eras?
Keith
-
Hi Bob,
Bought a Redwing Hunter from Ebay last year, first recurve I've bought, cost me as much again to ship to the UK with the import duties, 58", 40+#, ser. no. R-2-12891-G. It is sweet as a nut, anyway, would be gratefull for any information you could give me about it.
thanks in anticipation.
-
Originally posted by Jock:
Hi Bob,
Bought a Redwing Hunter from Ebay last year, first recurve I've bought, cost me as much again to ship to the UK with the import duties, 58", 40+#, ser. no. R-2-12891-G. It is sweet as a nut, anyway, would be gratefull for any information you could give me about it.
thanks in anticipation.
Hi Jock---
First off, you have a very good bow. Your bow was manufactured/built by AMF. I think if you look at the bows limbs you can see this. She has white silkscreening on it. Second, your bow has Shedua wood/lumber in the riser. AMF started to build the Wing bows in the year of 1969. I hope this will help! Thanks
Bob aka WingNuts
Bob
-
Hi Bob,
you're right, she is a lovely wee bow, very smooth, much obliged for the info.
All the best!!
-
I have a Wing Hawk that I purchased in the early 70's. A great little bow. Anyone else ever shoot one?
-
Bob,
Aren't you glad you dropped in over here! :bigsmyl:
-
Originally posted by raghorn:
Bob,
Aren't you glad you dropped in over here! :bigsmyl:
Yes I am. I still have to learn how to post a pic and which buttoms to click on for the replys. I will keep a trying.
Bob aka WingNuts
-
Bob;
You have to upload your pictures to a web site. Then right click on the picture & click on properties. Highlight the address for the picture and click copy. Come back to the reply you want to post. Click on image and paste the your url.
If I throughly confused you send me an email and I'll try to clear it up for you.
:thumbsup:
-
Hi--
Any one out there have any Red Wing Customs they may want to sell or trade? I am open to ideas. I make cedar arrows and am will to do trading. Thanks for looking at this.
Bob aka-WingNuts
-
Somebody gave a bow to my wife; and said it was a Wing. The decal was missing.Writing on it in Silver ink:
64"
G-1770
36#@28"
There was a squarish decal that's gone just under the silver writing.
Somebody looked at the small tips and told me it was a Wing.
Is it a Gull? Wonder what year?
Looks like walnut handle and the limbs are greenish/white glass over thin layer of wood in the middle.
My wife shot it for years but now has a Hummingbird longbow. I like your flu-flu's that you made. They really stop the shaft. Hope these don't end up on the neighbors roof. :bigsmyl:
Undertaker/taxidermist couldn't wipe the grin off that pesky squirrel. :bigsmyl:
-
Hi--
I think you have an original Wing Gull from Jacksonville, Texas built in about 1960's or so. She is a good one. Please let me know how she shoots. Thanks
Bob aka-WingNuts
-
Wingnut, I have two Wing bows and I think you can tell me more about them, from what I'm seeing in recent threads. I have them because I also have a Bob Lee I like a great deal and have heard how good his Wings were when he had that company. I also sell my "older bows" at the shop I work at part time. I don't sell by mail as I like for the perspective customer to be able to pick it up , feel it, etc (even though I buy by mail - LOL)
Number one is a Swift Wing 66", 38# @ 28", Ser. no. 57-2183
Number two is a Red Wing Hunter 58", 40x @ 28", Ser. no. R-2-1702
Both have the Wing Logo on them and the Swift Wing has an (old) Wing logoed brush type rest.
Thanks in advance for whatever info you can (and feel like) giving me.
-
Hi Bernard--
Thanks for asking! Lets go with the Red Wing Hunter first. The R-2-xxxx is a AMF Wing. I think you could see that on the back of the bow, silkscreen, lower limb. Your bow was probably made in about 1969 at the first run for the new AMF owned Wing Archery. I say this because of the low serial number. She has a Shedua riser and probably has 2 holes on the back side for the quiver (inserts). As far as the 40X on the side of the riser--this means that when she was weighed up, she was just a pound or two heavier than 40.
Now on the Swift Wing--Could the 5 in the serial number be a "S" instead of the number 5(7)? All of the Wing bows serial numbers always started with the kind of bow model. Please check and let me know. If it could be a S, I think I could take it form there.
Thanks for letting me help you out. I hope that I have answered some of your questions. Thanks again and I hope to hear from you soon.
Bob aka-WingNuts
-
Wingnuts, thanks first. I did notice that AMF and meant to mention it but left it out by accident. Is it as desireable as the other Red Wing Hunters one hears about , or --?
On the Swift Wing that "5" (on closer inspection) not only could be an "S" but more than likely is. That one is a sweet shooter and seems to love wood arrows. I't does have a semi-circular indentation on the riser where aluminum arrows (probably of incorrect spine) "beat up" on it. Bigggg riser, pretty piece of wood (Reminds me some of the old Herter's risers), white glass limbs , I'd say. Pretty sweep to it (to me anyway). Thanks again for your help.
-
ttt - for Wingnuts next reply.
-
Hi--
Your Red Wing Hunter is a collector bow. I my opinion, you have the last of the good ones. From there on out they went to Voit and ????. I like all of the RWHers. I really like the first, original ones make in Houston Texas. I have one of the very first ones built. It is a 60-61 RWH with the maple stripe in her. This is the only one I have ever seen or heard of in my collecting days. I am sure that there is more out there, but where? The RWH derived from the Red Wing. I only know of 1 Red Wing as well. I don't own that one. She belongs to a gent in California. I have a 1957 book with the Red Wing in it. I can see where the Presentation came from when you see the pictures of the Red Wing!
Thanks for letting me talk again. Seems like I am always finding out more info. on these bows.
Bob aka-WingNuts
-
Hi Wing-Nuts, I emailed you a few weeks back about a brace height ? for the RedWing Hunter. Never heard back from you. I the mean time I picked up a RedWing on ebay. I haven't received it yet, but I did notice from the pics it doesn't have the quiver hole in the limbs. Is this an earlier bow than the Hunter model? I do know the serial # starts with an RW.
BTW this is my first post here.
TTS
-
Thanks again, Wingnuts (about the RWH). Did you have any info on the Swift Wing for me?
-
Hi Jim--
I had a Big Bunch of computer problems. Now I seem to have everything up and running again. I am sorry for not getting back to you in a short amount of time.
Brace heigth for a Red Wing Hunter is 7" or so. This is from my own findings and Wings Archerys as well! On your RW-XXXX, That bow is probably a 1965-67? Does it have the green sticker and gold writing on it? Where is the serial number, on the face or side? Any silk screening? If you can check into this, I can give you a better discription of your new bow. Thanks again!
Bob
-
Hi Bernard--
Can you please tell me more on the Swift Wing? Where is the serial number, be exact. Any Silk screening? What kind of wood is in the riser? If you are unsure, please describe to me the best you can. I hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks - Bob
-
Bob,
I should have the bow next week, then I'll can tell you more about it.
About my other Wing bow 73/4" is as low as I can get the brace height with the string I'm using. The string came off an old Martin Mamba 58" that I sold. I have it a 81/4" now from the back of the grip to the string, but it is noisy and slaps me around the wrist.
Jim aka TTS
-
Bob, I'll try. The ser. no. is on the lower, left side of riser, as you hold it to shoot, just before it starts into fadeout area. The riser is all one piece and forms it's own fadeouts, aprox 27-28" from top to bottom of fadeouts. Medium color wood but hard for me to tell type - very straight grain(s). There are two what I guess you call silk screens. Both are on the back side of limbs (facing shooter) - top limb - just words, "Swift Wing"; bottom limb - Wing's Logo with only word "Wing" (and wing on W)inside the "diamond" shape and words "Archery" & "Company" following two lower edges of "diamond" - outside of it. Hope this helps.
-
Hi Bernard--
What you have, with out me seeing it, Would be a 1963-65 Swift Wing. Bubinga wood. I am assuming that this is a right hand bow. What gives it away is the sticker with Wing Archery Company on it. They are Labels or Stickers not silk screens. I know that can be very hard to tell once in a while. I hope this will help you out. Thanks again for letting me talk.
}}}--Bob--------->
-
Thanks again, Bob. Bubinga eh? Pretty - and a lot of it - haha - they could make a couple of risers out of it these days. As I said, a nice shooter but I guess not too special? I've kept it at home for quite a while and shot it a good bit but will probably wind up selling it too. You have a lot of knowlege about Wings and are a big help. Welcome to the "gang".
-
TTT
-
Question for you Bob;
I had a 62" Thunderbird with phonlic riser, no overlays on back of grip,made by Wing?
I just picked up another 62" Thunderbird with no overlay on back of grip, made by Wing, but this one has dyed/impregnated maple riser.
Do you know what are the years? I thought the phonlic was 1967. :confused:
-
Hey Ron--
You are correct on the year of 1967. I'll bet that the riser grip is a big one on the phenolic??? After that year, they,Wing- Head Ski, went to the colored maple. The year was 1968. They stayed with that till the end, (WingWood)! Thanks Much Ron.
Bob aka-WingNuts
-
AMF went to the impregnated, colored maple called wingwood.
The Head Ski versions of the Thunderbird have phenolic in the riser and black/white overlays on back of handle and same on limb tips. They also have a slimmer grip.
The original Thunderbirds had no overlays on back of handle, had rosewood/white micarta limb tips and a blockier grip.
Most Wings were meant to be shot at brace heights of 8" or more, because of their very long recurves. Anything under 8" causes too much handshock.
A Red Wing Hunter with a serial number starting in RW is from 1964-early 1966. It will have a bubinga riser, chocalate brown glass and bubinga/maple limb tips.These Red Wing Hunters will have decals for logos, most of which were gold in color and said Wing Archery Houston TX.
The silkscreen logo's started in late 1966/early 1967 when Wing Archery moved to Jacksonville, TX. and was getting ready for Head Ski to take over ownership. There are some of these logos that just say Wing Archery. Then after that they said Wing Archery Div. of Head Ski.
-
Bob, my first bow(1970/71) was a Wing Thunderbird. I now have two Bob Lee Signature series takedowns. I guess you can say I'm a Bob Lee fan. But that is not why I am contacting you. In 1971 I entered a drawing in a local archery shop and won a Wing Slimline International. It's 66", 38#. Serial #SLI-134.It has the Wing emblem, the Wing Arrow rest and the AMF Wing Archery Division of AMF Incorporated identifacation on the
lower limb. It also has the original string. Riser has brown overlay on front outlined in white or cream. Rest of riser is mahogany in color. Limbs are white or cream with brown bow tips on front.It is drilled and tapped for a stabilizer. Believe it or not, I don't think I've ever strung this bow. What can you tell me about it. What is its value? Should I string it and shoot it or just keep it for show? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill Turner
-
Hi Bill--
I just looked up your bow. She retailed for $74.95 in '71. Fistmele is 8"-9". She only came in 68" according to the book. I know that you said yours was a 66". Should you shoot it--well that's kind of up to you. If she was mine, I would! On the other hand, you may want to keep her just in the virgin state that she is in right now. Value ???. I really don't know what a bow like that will bring. Right now its a very soft bow market out there. Maybe some other collecters would be able to tell you more about the value of your bow. I wish I could be of more help to you. Thanks Bill and if you have any more questions, please feel free!
Bob aka-WingNuts
-
Thanks Bob. The International is definitely marked 66 inches. From what you said in a earlier thread I gather that this bow was built in Jacksonville, Texas as Wing was preparing to switch over to AMF. The low serial number is what I am going by. Do you have any idea what kind of wood they might have used? It is a beauty.
Also, as I mentioned, my first bow was a Wing Thunderbird. Black and White on back of riser and black and white tips. Earlier thread indicated that this was a bow made by Head. Exactly what problems appeared when Head took over? I know that from 1973 to 1977 my bow was not strung. I went to string it in summer of 1977 and limb exploded during stringing with a bow stringer. I never contacted the company. Just threw it away.
I have often wondered why that bow broke.
-
hey Bob, i just bought a red wing pro slim line ser#slr-3-4748 45x11. it is a nice bow and also came with the wing quiver. anything you can tell me about the bow would be appreciated. i can't tell how it shoots as it is a rh bow and i am a lefty.thanks,Mike
-
Hi Mike--
The Slim Line - Red Wing Pro was first introduced in 1971. She was a slimmer more custom bow than the Red Wing Hunter. Fistmele was 8"- 9". They used two tropical woods in the riser. All of these bows were very fast shooters. They were only sold by pro-shops. I don't know what you mean by 45x11? Can you please explain to me? I too am a "lefty". Darn the bad luck. Oh wait, I do have one in left hand! If I come up with any more Info. I will let you know. Thanks
Bob aka-WingNuts
-
thanks Wingnuts, i am assuming the 45x it was 2 straight marks was = to 47lbs. 45+2. i haven'y put it on the scales yet to see what it actually draws. the finish on the riser is in pretty bad shape. would it be in best interest as a collectable to leave the finish alone or re-finish the bow.thanks,Mike
-
Hi Mike--
I see what you are saying now. On Wing bows, the x's behind the pounds mean a pound for each x. In your case your are probably correct in the pounds could be 47#.
Finish, now there is a toss up question. I think it all up to the new owner. I had a '62 redone by BowDoc. In my case it was the best thing I could have done. I don't plan on selling her so it was a good thing for me to do. She sure looks good up on the wall. Thanks
Bob aka-WingNuts
-
hey Wingnuts, thanks for the info. i am in the process of refinishing the bow now. i also have an amf "little wing" that my daughter shoots. it is 20@24" and the serial number is 2587. what can you tell me about this bow.thanks,Mike
-
Hi Mike--
Those bows were built in the mid '70's. I sold a pile of them. They were very good bows then and stil are. All Shedua risers. Good bow. Thanks
Bob aka-WingNuts
-
Originally posted by WingNuts:
[QB] Hi Bob,
I'm gald to talk to a Wing expert. I have two Red Wing Hunters, both 50#, both lefties. The serial numbers are R-2-14774 and R-2-12685-G. Both have the AMF decal. I was wondering what you could tell me about them. I also saw in the classifieds that someone was looking for a RWH with a maple riser. When did they make them?
Thanks.
-
Hi Dan--
You have a couple of good bows there! They are the "later" wing bows with the serial numbers. I would put a date on them about 1973-75 or so. They have Shedua risers and maple cores. I'll bet they are 58". Am I correct?
I am the collecter looking the maple riser Red Wing Hunter bows. They were the first ones made. I think in 1959 or 60 was the first. I have the second--it was a maple stripe one. The heaviest one I have is a 1968 - 52" - 92#. This is a true story on this bow. This bow was used by the Rochester Minnesota Fire Dept. They use this bow on there meeting nights. Who ever could pull this bow the least amount of times had to buy the coffee. Then my Friend Lamont Granger of the Foot shaft got it and they wanted it to find a new home. I was the lucky one to own it now. She hangs now, proudly, on my bow rack.
I hope I am not boring anyone. Thanks much and if you have any more questions, please feel free.
Bob aka-WingNuts
-
Thanks for the info on the two RWH lefties. Yes they are both 58" and they can really spit an arrow.
52", 92#?! Wow, I bet that is a bear to string!
-
Hi--
I don't know, I have never tried to string it. I didn't want to pop a ........ Thanks
Bob
-
Hi Bob,
A freind of mine just gave me A wing bow this week. It's a wing chaparral 60" long 53lb@ 28,
the number on the riser is CA3838.This bow is mint it even has the original skrew on quiver.What can you tell me about this bow?
Thanks
Darren
-
Darren,
Keeping a Bow Like that in the cold North could be hazardeous to your health. They are known to explode and fragment in cold weather.
I suggest you send it south for safe keeping. :bigsmyl:
Just funnin ya. What a find, congratulations
-
Hi Darren-
Thats one bow you may want to hang on to. She is a Head Ski. Fistmele is 8"-9". She had black phenolic and African Bubinga in the riser. I think she would be about a 1970 or so. You should have two factory inserts in the back side of her for a Wing Quiver. Do you? Please let me know. Thanks and I hope that I have helped you out.
Bob aka-WingNuts
-
Hi Bob,
The bow has the inserts on the front of the limbs.
and the bow was bought in 1970, and the price he paid back then was about $160.00 canadian. The name of the man who gave me this bow is James A Carson,he is a well known wildlife artist here.I can go on for hours about him but I don't have the time.But anyways thanks for the information.
Darren ->>>>-------->
-
WING NUTS
It sure is a pleasure to see someone here that is not only knowledgeable about the old wings, but is willing to spend the time to share that knowledge. You sir, are the epitome of what the TRAD GANG should be about. Knowledgeable traditional archers helping others. My hat is off to you. I have a few Wings myself. A Chaparrel, Thunderbird, and 4 Red Wing Hunters. 2 original Wings, One AMF, and one Head ski. For those of us with less knowledge about the Wings, How about giving us your take on the transition from Wing to AMF, to Head ski. I think that is the order. I always considered the original Wings to be worth more than the AMF and Head Ski models, although I am not saying that the latter are not good bows. What is your opinion here, and possibly the history of the transition. Also, other than the inserts for the quiver, are there any differences in the design of the RWH between the brands. THanks in advance for your answer, and for all you have done here to date.
-
Hi To All--
First off I want to say Thanks for all of the kind words that have been said to me here at the Trad Gang. I am a vendor here and I love to share my knowledge of Wing bows and Cedar arrows. I will try to cover all the dates and try not to get all confused. LOL. Wing Archery started in Bob Lees home in about 1953 or so. He moved the operation to Houston a few years later. Now collectors call the first bows, Houston Bows, refering to his shop in Houston Texas. In about 1966 the move was made to Jacksonville Texas. In about late 1967 and early 1968 Head Ski took over.
Their rein lasted about 3 years. In late 1970 AMF took charge. Head Ski came out with the SlimLine of bows. This new SlimLine was just sold thru archery pro-shops. I started selling the full Wing line in 1971. They were the best years of my archery life, barr none. I sure wish I knew how to post pictures here as I could show all of you the differences in the Red Wing Hunters. The difference in design of the Red Wing Hunters changed thru out the years mainly in the riser and limb tips. The Houston bows had very small tips on the end of the limbs. The early RWH'ers had rounded heals on the bottom of the riser grip. In 1963 they went to more of a pointed/square type of lower grip. In 1965 they went back to the more rounded heal of the grip. Red Wing Hunters were special orders in the 62" length in the years of 61 and 62. Also, you could special order a Red Wing Custom--White Glass. I have two of those here. In 1968 Head Ski came out with the 52" model. I have a 92# one of those bows. Yes, I said 9-2#. Bob Lee signed it for me. I never tried to string that one. Didn't want to pop a "ear drum"!
I hope that I have covered most of the dates. If anyone has any more questions, please feel free. Thanks much for your time.
Bob aka-WingNuts
-
Hello,
I have a old Wing Challenger takedown target bow that maybe you could shed some light on for me..
It is marked 64" 26 @ 28 and 66" 25 @ 28..The limbs just slide in and out of brackets and the string tention holds them in (I guess)..
It has a lamminated riser with a plunger,stabilizer bushing and a "Accra" sight.
I picked it up at a flea mart thinking my wife could shoot it but she just doesn't seem interested..
I would appreciate any info that you could pass on...
Thanks and Good Arrow Flight >>>---------->
-
Hi--
Thanks for your interest. Are there any markings,silkscreens, on the riser or limbs? That bow doesn't ring a bell so I went to my Wing catalogs and I can't seem to find her in there either. Does it say like AMF ot Voit anywhere? This is a bow that could have been built after 1976. Thanks and I will be waiting for your reply.
Bob aka-WingNuts
-
Hey Bob,
No silk screens or much of anything..Just
"WING CHALLENGER"
After careful examination I found what I think is a serial number along the edge of the limbs...
88253
I will take a couple pics...
Hmmmmm, Its still a mystery..
Thanks
-
Hi To All--
I have posted a picture of 4 of my 1961-62 Red Wing Hunters and Red Wing Customs, 62"-white glass. I don't know if this will work but I will try it till I study what Ron and told me to do. Thanks and click on the link below, scroll down to the bottom, #861
Bob aka-WingNuts
http://photos.yahoo.com/bgarrows
-
A couple pics,
I seem to have a habit of collecting bows that no one wants or have heard of..LOL
Less competition that way I guess
(http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Feb/20042263026640682625694.jpg)
(http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/auction/Feb/20042268414971902451922.jpg)
-
I'm going to take a guess here on your Challenger.
I seem to remember the Wing bows came back on the market in the late 80s early 90s? Bob Lee wasn't involved in any way. Perhaps this is one of them?
Dan Fitzgerald was doing endorsment for them I think even though he only shot compounds.
:confused:
-
Hi--
I think Ron is pretty much correct on this one. I will have to give it a date of 1980 or so. This is the first one that I have seen. After Bob left the company, I kind of lost interest. I wish I could be of more help. Thanks
Bob aka-WingNuts
-
Hey,
Thanks all for the help..
-
Wingnut, I have a bow that I was told is a Vantage pro slim line. It has no silk screens. It is 58" 55#@28".
Serial # SLR-3-2563. Do you believe this is what it is?
Thank you, Jerry
-
Hi Jerry--
I sent you am Email. Your bow is a Red Wing Pro. The serial numbers tell me so. SLR=Slim Line Red Wing Pro. I have the some bow here in about 200 numbers less in the serial number. Probably built the same seek in Jacksonville, Texas. Vintage--about 1973 or so. I hope this helps you out. If you have any more quesions, please feel free. Thanks-my pleasure!
Bob aka-WingNuts
-
Hi Bob,
I recently bought a RedWing slimline pro. It has the sight option which screws into the name plate on the riser & a short hunting stabilizer, approx. 1"dia X 2" long. I'm looking for another stabilizer of the same type. Do you have any leads on something like this?
Thanks.
Larry
-
have 2 head ski target bows for sale,need info on one of them slim line master 26# slm-1275 66"near mint cond. also P1 33# pa1155 70" very good cond. both have cases stabilizers and sights etc...asking $200ea. i think it is reasonable,do you?
-
Hi---
I know what kind of stablizer you mean. I haven't seen one in a few years. I will keep my eyes and ears open. You just never know when one will "Pop Up". Thanks much and happy shooting!
Bob aka-WingNuts
-
Hi Spike--
I think that if your bows are in very good condition, that would be a good fair price. The bow market right now is not the best. You just may want to hang on to them and see if the market goes up. Thanks
Bob aka-WingNuts
-
DEMISE OF WINGNUTS
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I was just informed that our good friend WINGNUTS passed away this morning. Another TRAD GANG member tried to call him this morning and was greeted with the bad news. He will be missed in the TRAD GANG community
-
I am so sorry to hear that. May the good Lord speard his protective hands over Wingnut's family and friends during their time of trying to cope with this loss.