Trad Gang

Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: Jaz5833 on February 19, 2013, 01:04:00 PM

Title: 1950's Bow ID
Post by: Jaz5833 on February 19, 2013, 01:04:00 PM

I would like to offer up a bow for identification. It is labeled Gordon Plastics, San Diego. I just won this example at auction and will not have it in hand for a few days.

 (http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l137/jaz5833/Gordon%20Bow/LeftSide_zps0712af70.jpg)

The bow has all of the GP calling cards, such as the brown laminate and the poundage marked on the heel.

 (http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l137/jaz5833/Gordon%20Bow/Limbpoundage_zpsf1a17022.jpg)

Also the serial number stamp is indicative of the bows produced by GP before Browning came along.

 (http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l137/jaz5833/Gordon%20Bow/DateStamp_zps68591573.jpg)

This one would indicate that the bow was made in Oct. of 57. However, it does not visually look like any of the bows I have seen made by them.

Additionally, the Gordon Plastics label appears to me as though part of it was cut off and it may have included the model name.

 (http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l137/jaz5833/Gordon%20Bow/GordonEmblem_zps795c31f7.jpg)

I have read that Frank Eicholtz approached GP around the time this bow was made and asked them to help with a more durable laminate for his bows.
 
The wood work in this bow more closely resembles the work that I have seen from Frank and very different from the work I have seen from either Gordon Plastics or even Browning.

 (http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l137/jaz5833/Gordon%20Bow/Shelfclose_zpsab89b6d9.jpg)

 (http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l137/jaz5833/Gordon%20Bow/Riserwindow_zps4137f49b.jpg)

Any thoughts?

Title: Re: 1950's Bow ID
Post by: wadde on February 19, 2013, 02:18:00 PM

The overlays on the belly resemble those found on Fasco bows, another California bow from the same era.

Title: Re: 1950's Bow ID
Post by: oldbohntr on February 19, 2013, 02:21:00 PM

They most likely all got their glass from Gordon at the time.  It wouldn't be surprising if Fasco or Smithwick or another local bowyer made them.

Title: Re: 1950's Bow ID
Post by: Jaz5833 on February 19, 2013, 06:02:00 PM

Quote

Originally posted by oldbohntr:
They most likely all got their glass from Gordon at the time.  It wouldn't be surprising if Fasco or Smithwick or another local bowyer made them.

It is a Gordon manufactured bow....I think. But I also think it may have been influenced by another bowyer.

Any other thought?