Trad Gang
Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: ckruse on July 27, 2008, 04:22:00 PM
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I was able to complete a Jack Howard trifecta of sorts earlier this week when I acquired a one owner 1970 50# Gamemaster. The bow came with all of the paperwork, several brochures, 2 different Bowhunters Catalogs, the bow sock, etc., right on down to the reciept from Kittredge Bow Hut and a picture of a deer taken with it! Before you throw anything at me, I feel fortunate and blessed every day, and just wanted to share. :)
Left to right:
1970 Gamemaster 50#
1996 Gamemaster Jet 48#
20?? Gamemaster Classic 53#
I don't know what year Jack Started producing the Classic, but this is #10, which was still done with Jack's handwriting (which was beginning to fail), prompting him to go to a sticker with the serial number and poundage very early in this series. CKruse
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b120/cdkruse/100_1798.jpg)
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Now you've done it...my search is going to be rekindled. :thumbsup:
I had contacted Jack a few years ago about ordering one, but never got around to it before he passed on. :banghead:
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Another view-- lots of glare on these pics, but you get the idea! CKruse
(http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b120/cdkruse/100_1799.jpg)
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Cameron
Good for you!!
That Gamemaster looks almost brand vew
I have 4 Jets, 2 Gamemasters, 1 Classic, and 1 Hunter, Srill want a "TargetMaster Supreme". My "Holy Grail"
Blackhawk
Be carful about getting ANY Jack Howard bow, Once you shoot one, all of your other bows will become wallhangers.
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You must have bought the gamemaster from Jim in Pa ? I was a little too late calling to tell him I wanted it.You bought the classic from me last year glad you're happy with it.
I just came back from Denton Hill and took my Gamemaster Jet for a walk and it seemed I couldn't miss.Jack you're absolutely right there are Howard bows and just "others"
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Ron, In the words of Ed McMahon, You are correct sir! I noticed you've been looking for Howard bows, and kind of wondered why you sold the Classic. I like the 66" bows the best, but I'd say the Classic is probably the quickest. I just got done doing a camo job on the Jet (belly and back only), and plan to take a deer or two with it this year. Jack, I'm always watching for that elusive target bow, I do have a picture of it- but have never actually seen one. CKruse
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In a moment of insanity I thought I wanted to look for a little lighter poundage one.I was preparing to leave on a moose hunt and wanted a little extra cash just in case (I should have sold guns instead) I have picked up a Howard Hunter 48# and am still interested in another Jet or Classic in 48# I have a Jet that is 53# and it's just a little heavier than my other bows 48# is just right for me.
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The Howard Hunter is really a Damon Howatt Hunter with Jack's logo on it. Now there is nothing slouch about a Damon Howatt Hunter, they are awsom bows in their own right. However, they do not have Jack;s limb design, and the glass and core ,aminations are not spine matched.
Jack's customers had been bugging him about coming out with a 62" model. He did not want to retool sna rejig for 62" so he bought about 50 Damon Howatts unfinished and did them with his logo. VOILA!! The JACK HOWARD HUNTER. He told me that he regretted doing it because it was not his design. However, I think he got the idea for the JET riser from that experience. Compare the riser design of thr Howatt to the JET. Notice any similarity?
As far as the TargetMaster Supreme, if Jack had not sent me pictures, and told me all about them, I woul say they do not really exist. Been looking for onw for years, never found a trace, or anyone else that has. Still looking.
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Yes when on the bow rack the hunter is very similar in shape to the Jet and I wondered if Jack hadn't worked the riser slightly to look more like one of "his" bows.As you've explained to me before the hunters are pretty rare since Jack really didn't sell many or continue to offer them for very long.It's a nice piece of Jack's history and I will hang on to it to be a part of my collection,hopefully I'll be able to find a couple more Jets and Classics in the future.
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I hate you ,LOL, my dream is a Jack Howard bow in a 60#. Seen a couple but they went for way more than I was willing to give at the time.
Danny
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Cam CONGRATS >------->
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Nice "Set" Of Jacks, Cam. I'd bet on those.
Trap
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RON
As a collectible, a Howard Hunter is definitely worth having. Only about 50 made, As a shooter they are every bit the same as a Howatt Hunter. A great bow in it's own right.
Danny
When watching for a Jack Howard bow, don't forget about the original Gamemaster. Those old bows have stood the test of time, and at 66" are really smooth shooters. I have one with a 1/4" X 8" slice of glass missing from the belly starting at the upper notch and it still shoots solid, The old ones are great collectibles too.
The only real difference between an original Gamemaster and a Classic is that the Classic has a steel rod molded into the plastic section to make the riser more ridged. You can tell by putting a magnet to the riser on a Classic and it will hold on.
All the JETs are the exact same except for two exceptions.
1. Jaxk made some camo models and he saw no sense in using exhotic woods in the riser since it would be painted. So, he used a solid piece of hardrock maple. It turned out that these solid risers made a slightly faster shooting bow than his laminated rosewood risers. This was because it was more ridged. My 56# Camo JET shoots faster than my 57# Rosewood JET.
2. At rhe end of his career (and his life( he made a few JETS with carbon limbs.
Other than these two variants, Jack told me that there was absolutely no difference berween his first JET and his last. If you find an old jet in good shape, jump on it.
Jack died at 85 yrs old and he still had two classics in the works. His widow sent them to Rich and he finished them off and sold them for her as the "Ultimatr Collectible Jack Howard bows". The last two he made. Rich marked them as serial numbers 1 & 2,
One of the Greatest Bowyers that ever lived. He was a real artist.
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Jack, the classic was also only made in 64" as opposed to the Gamemaster's 66" length. I wouldn't begin to challenge your knowledge of Jack Howard's bows, but that much I do know. CKruse
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Great eye candy, good job.
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Cameron
You are correct, sir. I forgot to mention that.
Don't ever hesitate to corect me if you think I am wrong. That's how I learn things. If I am wrong, I learn something. If I am right, you learn something. That's a win/win situation.
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Jack, I do still need you to send me a PM with your address. I've got a small care package to send your way. ;) I really enjoy the respect and general lack of bickering that shown here at TG. We've all grown lots in knowledge and we've become a pretty tight group! CKruse
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Cameron
If the care package is a Targetmaster Supreme, my address is
JACK MILLET
233 Macedonia Rd.
white, GA 30184
I posted it here in case ANYBODY has a TargetMaster Supreme they might have an urge to send me.
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BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!!
I STAND CORRECTED. Cameron, You are correct Sir.
The classic is 64". The Original Gamemaster, and the Jet are 66".
The Hunter is 62", and the ever elusive Target Supreme was I think about 68"
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Thanks for bringing this back. ;)
On another site there was discussion of the metal rod, but x-rays and magnets did not reveal any from the small group of owners. :campfire:
Anyone got more info on this? :dunno:
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Mine will hold a magnet. Now this is only the Classic. The Jets and original Gamemasters did not have them.
According to Jack, he put the metal rod in all of the classics. The black section of the riser is a special plastic formula that jack developed. He mixed it himself and poured it into the mold for the riser. Before he poured in the plastic, he inserted the metal rod.
There are so many questions that only Jack could have answered. The Jack Howard enthusiast lost more than a great bowyer when he passed.
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I've got a Gamemaster Classic made with carbon. I believe it was Jack's first experience using carbon according to our correspondence. 66# and too heavy for me anymore. It's a VERY fast bow and I might be talked into letting it go.
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Hey Charlie.
Just sold a 49# Jet. The buyer will be calling you about extra strings.