Hello all!
This is my first posting here, and I'm so glad to have found this place.
My wife has just started to show her interest in shooting recurve with me, so I got out all my old archery gear. My first bow included. Now I'm curious about it. Hopefully one of you can add to the legend of my first bow when I hand it down to my Grandaughter. (She gets to start shooting it next summer)
Here is the story.
My Dad gave me the bow in 1966 when we lived in Indiana.
It is marked Groves Spark 22#@28".
It has white glass limbs, with a walnut looking riser.
Could this be made by Harold Groves of the Spitfire fame? I know his company was out west, and didn't start until '65. kind of makes me wonder if it's a proto or demo model.
Any information you can offer would be valuable to me. THANKS!
I'll try to post some pics tomorrow.
Although I have no definate info to confirm it, I would bet it is a Groves, made by Harold in New Mexico. I think he was from Albuquerque.
I had a Groves Spitfire in the early 70's.
Some google searches should reveal some additional info.
Welcome! Someone here will know about it. If you have pictures that always helps.
Ron
Thanks for the welcome! I have searched rather fully on google and can find no reference to the Spark model.
Here are the pics, hopefully that will help with a positive I.D.
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s131/swissarmyjeep_photos/Sparkriser.jpg)
(http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s131/swissarmyjeep_photos/SparkFull.jpg)
I just am not sure how my Dad got a bow for his 6yr old son, from New Mexico only one year after the company started. (He thinks someone gave it to him)
Thanks for all your help,
Ron
It definetly looks like a original Groves..
Nice looking bow! Enjoy
The riser and fadeouts are a dead give away, I say it is a Groves. There should be some Groves experts along to confirm hopefully.
Hey Ron
Post that up in history/collecting forum,you will get lots of drooling on it.
Kurt
It's definitely a Groves. I still have a few and grew up near Harolds shop where I first learned about archery.
I still see his son on a regular basis.
I can take some pics to him and try and get some more info for you if you would like?
Dave
Thanks for all your welcomes and help in helping me get the history right on this (Especially you Dave!) before I hand it down to my Grand Daughter. We are putting together a scrapbook for the bow (complete with Harold Groves Bio) so she can share with her children when that day comes .
I can't wait to teach this one, she is giddy about it, but her Mom says she has to wait until she's six.
Glad too, Gives me more time to practice before she out shoots me.
Ron
My first bow was a spark also , still have it it is 19#, was made by harold groves in NM. My kids have all started with it too!