Trad Gang

Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: mangonboat on December 01, 2015, 08:37:00 AM

Title: What is it, and who made it?
Post by: mangonboat on December 01, 2015, 08:37:00 AM

I just acquired this bow, after doing a bit of research to discern its likely and less likely but still possible origins. It has no serial number, no indication of length or draw weight, no markings the except 2 identical labels shown in the photos. It is not a re-finished bow. The original finish is in very good shape with no holes, gouges or deep scratches, but the rest is worn from shooting , the grip is burnished from use and the finish over the fades has the tell-tale horizontal rubbing from a dual spring arm bow quiver. The bow is 62" AMO by my measurement across the belly and around the curves of the limbs and it draws around 55#.
   (http://i.imgur.com/ERhnZHM.jpg)
    (http://i.imgur.com/yu6JTsr.jpg)
   (http://i.imgur.com/bZ73ZcE.jpg)
   (http://i.imgur.com/AP6Qmh5.jpg)

Title: Re: What is it, and who made it?
Post by: mangonboat on December 01, 2015, 08:41:00 AM

(http://i.imgur.com/iSC2W1J.jpg)
 (http://i.imgur.com/UZGtnuM.jpg)
 (http://i.imgur.com/cnuNq1y.jpg)
 (http://i.imgur.com/GJDrkkE.jpg)
 (http://i.imgur.com/nH4apWd.jpg)

Title: Re: What is it, and who made it?
Post by: papabear08 on December 01, 2015, 11:18:00 AM

Looks to be a Lady Mercury from Ben Pearson. I would say it looks refinished but of course you have it in hand and that would be best to judge that.

Title: Re: What is it, and who made it?
Post by: eidsvolling on December 01, 2015, 05:01:00 PM

A scant 24 hours ago I thought to myself:

" Self, you don't even own, much less collect, any Pearson equipment. Why are you taking the time to download all that excellent stuff from the link provided by D.Sheppard in that TradGang thread?"

"Cuz Self, there may come a time ..."

The particulars on the Sovereigns and Mercurys, in Lord and Lady versions, are in a file at this link under the title "1965GoldenSovereign.PDF":

  Pearson catalog library (https://files.secureserver.net/0fbm9bk3jOBvjC)

Title: Re: What is it, and who made it?
Post by: Horney Toad on December 02, 2015, 10:20:00 PM

fine looking bow for sure.

Title: Re: What is it, and who made it?
Post by: mangonboat on December 03, 2015, 10:45:00 PM

The way the notation is made at the bottom of the page, below all the bow descriptions, its unclear whether all Golden Sovereign left-handed bows were custom orders or just the Lady Mercury. This bow is way heavier than the catalog suggests would be available for the 62" Lady Mercury and it has black glass rather than white, but maybe that was no big deal when placing a custom order for a lefty . But the absence of a serial number or any other writing is also intriguing.

Title: Re: What is it, and who made it?
Post by: PAPALAPIN on December 16, 2015, 08:49:00 AM

My thoughts

Refinished (good job) Custom ordered Lady Mercury.  I have a Lady Mercury that is almost identical... 22 # @ 24" ... White Glass. Mine was made for Ann Clark who was a Ben Pearson pro shooter in the '60's.

The black rug rest is consistent with being used as a hunting bow, as well as the 55# draw weight.

That bow would make a fine, smooth hunting bow.