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Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: spider1 on December 20, 2009, 11:21:00 AM

Title: R.Wilcox Duoflex
Post by: spider1 on December 20, 2009, 11:21:00 AM
Hey guys. I have an interesting one here and need a little extra info. I'm trying to help a friend, he's an older guy, a trim carpenter by trade and a Vet from the Korean "conflict". He was diagnosed with cancer a while back and they gave him a couple months to live. He sold all his tools and just about everything he had to pay for his final expenses. Then he had the nerve to survive. Now he can't find work because of his age, health and the fact that he has no tools. Well, he digs around in his closet and finds this old case. Doesn't remember where he got it, but thinks he might get a few bucks for it on **** and I figured I would ask around to see if anyone has an idea about what it might actually be worth. I'll post a bunch of pictures and describe it the best I can.

Thanks
Title: Re: R.Wilcox Duoflex
Post by: spider1 on December 20, 2009, 11:38:00 AM
It came in this case, nothing special, I'm figuring it as a customized clarinet case or something.

 (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a76/MikeWindus/Russel%20Willcox%20duoflex%20bow/1.jpg)


but boy was I surprised when I opened it. I still can't get that grin off my face!

 (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a76/MikeWindus/Russel%20Willcox%20duoflex%20bow/2.jpg)

the guy that used this bow knew what he was doing, there are 20 aluminum target arrows in the case along with an arm guard, belt quiver, tabs and other stuff that an archer might collect.

 (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a76/MikeWindus/Russel%20Willcox%20duoflex%20bow/3.jpg)
Title: Re: R.Wilcox Duoflex
Post by: spider1 on December 20, 2009, 11:38:00 AM
it's a two piece bow, with what looks to me to be 3 lams of hickory and dark green fiberglass that shows it's fibers plainly. The tips are distinctive if not plain. Both butt ends of the limbs are plainly stamped with the number 307.

 (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a76/MikeWindus/Russel%20Willcox%20duoflex%20bow/5.jpg)

 (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a76/MikeWindus/Russel%20Willcox%20duoflex%20bow/11.jpg)

 (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a76/MikeWindus/Russel%20Willcox%20duoflex%20bow/10.jpg)

 (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a76/MikeWindus/Russel%20Willcox%20duoflex%20bow/6.jpg)

 (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a76/MikeWindus/Russel%20Willcox%20duoflex%20bow/9.jpg)

 (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a76/MikeWindus/Russel%20Willcox%20duoflex%20bow/8.jpg)
Title: Re: R.Wilcox Duoflex
Post by: spider1 on December 20, 2009, 11:40:00 AM
the only other identifying marks are written on the sides of eack limb.

307  Walter Goodale
  (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a76/MikeWindus/Russel%20Willcox%20duoflex%20bow/12.jpg)

307   R.Willcox SO Egremont, Mass
  (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a76/MikeWindus/Russel%20Willcox%20duoflex%20bow/14.jpg)
  (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a76/MikeWindus/Russel%20Willcox%20duoflex%20bow/15.jpg)


so what do ya think guys, any idea on a value of a piece like this?

Thanks in advance, Mike
Title: Re: R.Wilcox Duoflex
Post by: reddogge on December 20, 2009, 02:06:00 PM
Don't know but it sure is a neat bow and accessories.
Title: Re: R.Wilcox Duoflex
Post by: spider1 on December 20, 2009, 05:30:00 PM
reddogge, the neat thing is Willcox devoloped the working recurve long before Bear or Pearson. He made yew and hickory recurves back in the 30's. This one has glass on the belly and back so I guess it was made sometime around the mid 50's. But I'm hoping there's someone with more "real" info on this bow.
Title: Re: R.Wilcox Duoflex
Post by: AALLFAB on January 07, 2010, 07:12:00 PM
There is something about Wilcox in the Legends of the Longbow series somewhere. Jim