I lead a traditional archery club at the high school where I teach and this year I have a young lady who is ecstatic about archery. She just can't get enough. Well, one day she brings in the old recurve bow that's so badly twisted on the bottom limb you couldn't get a string on it if you wanted you. She really wanted to shoot this thing, and I told her I'd take a look at it. She said it was her grandmother's, and that it was really special. Well, come to find out her grandpa gave her the bow, and he was an exhibition shooter back in the day! We're talking about the crazy stuff I can only dream of doing. So, I took the bow home and after about two weeks of tinkering got it back into shape (and boy was it rough to begin with!) It shoots great. I gave her the bow on Thursday, and she cried when she saw it. She's going to see her grandma and grandpa over Thanksgiving, and has agreed to bring back some pictures and tape an interview with him about his shooting days.
P.S. If anyone can give me some insight into who made the bow, I'd appreciate it. She didn't know. The maker's/company's initials stamped into the riser are C.T.B. It draws 26#@26" and is 66" ntn, both of which are also stamped onto the riser. It has a four-digit serial number imprinted as well.
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Cs%20Grandmothers%20Bow/HPIM3035.jpg)
(http://i984.photobucket.com/albums/ae321/isaacscr/Cs%20Grandmothers%20Bow/HPIM3029.jpg)
Looks like you made that young Lady VERY happy!!!!!
I can't wait to hear what her Grandpa has to say!!!!!
Cool! Good on ya for helping out.
I wonder if grandpa shot with Howard or Fred? She carries on the tradition that is the best part of your story.
WOW......... Very COOL!.... Cool.. That bow could be homemade as well and the person just used there initials for the name... I will see what I can look up you... Can't wait to here the interview as well..
Man I love this history stuff....
Cody R
its a wonderful thing to pass along! you are doing great job to help. i know she will enjoy
Excellent post! I hope the young lady discovers a talent for archery just like her grandfather.
Cool story ! Thats what I like about this forum, it goes from hunting to High school archery. Thanks for keeping this sport going with the next generation !
Neat stuff....>>>----->
Cool thread.
You dun good!
Thats good stuff
Well done.
How about "Compton Traditional Bowhunters"? Missouri and Nebraska are pretty darn close.Probably a good place for an exhibition!
Way to go!
Man I love the folks from this site! Well done my friend!! :thumbsup: :clapper:
Nice job! And you may get the answer in the interview. Looking forward to hearing it.
I am hoping this is one story that's "to be continued". I can't wait to hear "the rest of the story".
Awesome!!! Good on you 4est trekker!
Im the lucky girl with that great teacher :) thanks so much Izzo. You're awesome. I talked to my grandpa a bit today and found out he was the Iowa state champ for 3 years in a row. I also got to hear some good stories from him. More later.
Welcome Claire..
Keep us posted and share the stories as you get them Claire.
And yes, welcome to the Trad Family. :archer:
Ha! Hey, there, Claire! :) Welcome to TradGang! Say, you should go to the main page and scroll down to where it says "Legends and Pioneers." Click on the Sterling Harrell link and watch the videos posted there. He was a heck of an exhibition shooter. Also, you can search for Byron Ferguson and YouTube. He's a dead eye with the bow, too. :archer:
Thats just plain awsome.
Congradulations, you obviously made her very happy.
Laminated risers with similar arrow shelf, and handle were popular in the 1950's. If the information is stamped into the riser, it may be a small bowyer, vs self-made. I'll check a reference book and get back.
This is gettin good, keep us posted.