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Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: park on September 04, 2011, 12:20:00 AM

Title: target bows
Post by: park on September 04, 2011, 12:20:00 AM
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
Title: Re: target bows
Post by: wadde on September 04, 2011, 05:37:00 AM
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.
Title: Re: target bows
Post by: YORNOC on September 04, 2011, 12:09:00 PM
I refinished a Sanders Swift a couple years back and sold it on the big auction for 356 dollars.
 (http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/yornoc/100_3438.jpg) (http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/yornoc/100_3422.jpg)
Title: Re: target bows
Post by: dkard on September 04, 2011, 02:39:00 PM
I think i bid on that swift, Didn;t win but it was too cool to not try

dave
Title: Re: target bows
Post by: YORNOC on September 04, 2011, 03:41:00 PM
Yeah, that is some awesome bending for back then. I love the 60's and 70's bows. What an era!
Title: Re: target bows
Post by: park on September 04, 2011, 05:53:00 PM
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
Title: Re: target bows
Post by: wadde on September 04, 2011, 07:01:00 PM
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.
Title: Re: target bows
Post by: Sal on September 05, 2011, 04:14:00 AM
That swift is amazing! What year is it from?  Did they make them for only one year?
Title: Re: target bows
Post by: mahantango on September 05, 2011, 08:12:00 AM
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.
Title: Re: target bows
Post by: C Kerley on September 05, 2011, 01:17:00 PM
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.
Title: Re: target bows
Post by: jackdaw on September 07, 2011, 03:45:00 PM
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
Title: Re: target bows
Post by: YORNOC on September 07, 2011, 05:33:00 PM
I sold it a couple years back. Heres a Staghorn that I sold too.....
Bear bows WERE dept. store bows!

 (http://i868.photobucket.com/albums/ab246/yornoc/SH1.jpg)
Title: Re: target bows
Post by: wadde on September 07, 2011, 09:39:00 PM
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.
Title: Re: target bows
Post by: YORNOC on September 07, 2011, 10:19:00 PM
Absolutely.
Title: Re: target bows
Post by: AALLFAB on September 11, 2011, 02:56:00 PM
Wow how did I miss getting that Staghorn a couple years back. Jim
Title: Re: target bows
Post by: YORNOC on September 11, 2011, 06:49:00 PM
It went for over 800 dollars!
Title: Re: target bows
Post by: AALLFAB on September 11, 2011, 11:22:00 PM
I was game but not that game so that explains it. Jim