Here's a pic of Bob Swinehart that Clyde was kind enough to send me. I was going to post it on the Howard HILL movie thread, but it's closed. Thanks, Clyde. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/scattershot/BobSwinehart.jpg)
Onya Scattershot !
thats the fey photo that got me into bowhunting !
great stuff !
(http://i1139.photobucket.com/albums/n559/jeffbschulz/swinehart-1.jpg)
Here it is larger. He was quite the bowhunter.
A friend brought his book "In Africa" to a 3-D shoot this weekend. The book is filled with plenty of full page B/W photos of his African hunts...including the one you posted which is my favorite.
a Pearson Bushmaster in hand I believe ... ?
"In Africa " is pretty much the last book in archery i need to get that I have any interest in
awesome
Yes it is Pearson Bushmaster, and Bob was hell of a hunter and love the photo too.
One of my favourite photos also. :) He was a great Bowhunter indeed - one of the very best IMO!!!
Jeff
I have a few shots of a Northern Mist bow that Steve built, it has The deep, dark Green glass on the back and white glass on the belly that Bob liked on his bows.
The green almost looks black and one of the pics has a side by side to compare.
When Steve had his green glass made a few years back,I had him build me a "Swinehart Special"
It is a Classic with Boo core, babinga riser,green glass back and white glass belly. Just like the bows Bob shot. Right down to the way the glass runs over the belly of the grip,that was typical of that period.
Steve is a big Swinehart fan and has built bows like this for 25 years. With White bellies and what he calls his retro handles.
Although the new green is lighter in color, the "Swinehart special" is one sweet bow to look at and shoot. Now if I could just find me a beligerent buffalo to face off with....
Pics of the Swinehart Green,
(http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/twotracks/Swinehartgrnvsblk.jpg)
(http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/twotracks/SwinehartgreenII.jpg)
(http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/twotracks/Swinehartgreen.jpg)
Chuck ... man it ain't that often that I am uber jealous but sheesh !
I think I just found a bow I have to now order !
Ben, I will post pics of the "New Swinehart Special" if you would like to see one.
The bow in the above pics was made several years back.
Glade you like it
CTT
I'd like to see it.
That Swinehart was a pretty cool dude...
Serious 'nads, too.
Ben,
"In Africa" is hard to come by. I've been close a couple of times, just not close enough. Not trying to argue, but that bow doesn't appear to have the offset handle of a Bushmster.
(This is a right hander)
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s331/selfbow19953/PEARSON%20TDs/STRUNG2.jpg)
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s331/selfbow19953/PEARSON%20TDs/DSC02120.jpg)
Here's a photo of Swinehart with a Pearson Pinto.
(http://i509.photobucket.com/albums/s331/selfbow19953/Pearson%20Stuff/cuddeview10.jpg)
What was it Robert Ruark once wrote? "A Cape Buffalo looks at you like you owe him money."
I'd like to know the outcome of that first pic.
Better him than me!!! I have no desire to hunt anything that hunts me!!!
The outcome of the pic was a dead buff.
That pic defines living large.
...or dieing young, lol.
QuoteOriginally posted by Two Tracks:
[QB]
(http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/twotracks/SwinehartgreenII.jpg)
From this angle it looks alot like a ML-10 longbow,same lines.
I don't see it Nick.
I had an ML-10 and it looked nothing like this.
My ML-10 had a serious pistol grip and about 3/4 of shelf hanging over the throat.
To me, this is Classic American Longbow.
This angle shows it better eh? Notice the glass going over the belly of the risers grip area.It runs straight through.
(http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/twotracks/Swinehartgreen.jpg)
Hi Chuck,Here's my Ml-10,just refinished it. The way the bamboo lams on the bottom limb curve into the back of the riser reminded me of it.
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc156/goshawkin/photo-109.jpg)
who has a copy of SAGITARIUS
Well Nick I have to agree.
That bow of yours is very different from the one I had. I will see if I can find a pic.
Nice job on the refinish.
Well, I just looked up my record and my bow was an ML-18
I apologize Nick. I sould have looked first.
CTT
It's a Bushmaster, Chuck-just not a Pearson. I had several of the Martins. They are really nice bows.
I have Sagitarius in the "Legends Of The Longbow" series.
I bought my copy of Swineheart's book when it came out. That was a long wait if I remember from when I ordered until I got it, but I was younger then.
I have two first edition copies of 'SAGITTARIUS' in my little library along with one of 'IN AFRICA'. Sagittarius is one of the best Bowhunting books ever written IMO.
Jeff
I have Sagitarrius and just got In Africa last week. They don't make 'em like Swinehart anymore. I have alway liked the photo of him with his rhino up close sitting on the ground too
I agree, end of an era
Thats right Phil,I remember now, it was a Bushmaster. I never shot it as it was heavy and left handed.
Steve was telling me of how Howard Hill told Bob that he was a great hunter but that he was going to get killed, because he had no fear.
I figure that first picture sums up that statement, And that coming from Howard Hill!
CTT
My first edition Sagittarius is the second one I've owned and a prized part of my archery collection. I loaned the first one to someone years ago and never got it back. Needless to say, the last one cost me much more to buy. Still looking for a copy of In Africa if anyone knows where to find one? You are right Nate, "They don't make 'em like Swinehart anymore."
I have both books and I go through them all the time. I love his pics.
For Nate....
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v651/Longbow1415/Bob%20Swinehart/rhino.jpg)
This is my "Swinehart Special"
Built in 2010 by Steve Turay of Northern Mist Longbows.
68" Classic
57#@30"
4 lams of bamboo
Babinga riser with retro grip @ 2" deep
Green glass back
White glass belly
I hope you like it,I know I do.
(http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/twotracks/P1020317.jpg)
(http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/twotracks/P1020318.jpg)
(http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/twotracks/P1020319.jpg)
(http://i593.photobucket.com/albums/tt12/twotracks/P1020320.jpg)
Sorry for the dark pictures,not sure what happend there as the sun is bright today.
CTT
QuoteOriginally posted by Two Tracks:
Well, I just looked up my record and my bow was an ML-18
I apologize Nick. I sould have looked first.
CTT
Hey Chuck,No need to apologize.Aint it great when you've had enough bows that you start to forget what they were! Your new green/white glass bow is a beauty. :thumbsup:
Thanks Nick,
That bow was new in 2010, I picked it up at comptons. Shoots great.
CTT
me likey !
Longbow1415...
I'm thinkin' of the pic on the cover of "In Africa"
I will have this bow in tow for the GLLI if anybody wants to "Grip it and Rip it"
See ya there
CTT
I had the chance to shoot the Turay "Swinehart Special" tody and what a damn fine bow! I have had zero success and enjoyment shooting Hill style bows in the past and this bow and another one of Chuck's new models were fantastic shooters. I may have to move to the dark side and get me a Hill style bow(or two)! :D
I just got around to reading this thread...and..please forgive...but all I can come up with to say is....WOW!!!!!
TTT!
COOL! Swinehart was from Montgomery County PA , Where I live > It took me YEARS to finally get a copy of Sagittarius, After reading it years before from a borrowed copy . MY sons were good enough to track down a really good copy and give it to me for Christmas the year before last . LOVE it! THANX again to my kids for their love and their gift ! Great read ! He was a hell of a guy who went through hell at the end . TREMENDOUS hunter and archer.
I have In Africa great pics. Seems Bob was fearless and a great shot .
Here are a few more I have on file.
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/Picture20014_zps6730c494.jpg) (http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/Picture20012_zps783e826a.jpg) (http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f281/Wyoming1/Picture20009_zps6b0d3c00.jpg)
IF you are unable to find a copy of his books, there is a program in most public libraries(if you are a member)where you can request a book and they will do a search for you, if they locate a book you want, they will arrange an "inter library transfer". I have read both his books using that method. One was from a library in south Florida and the other from Virginia. Just a thought....
Here's the cover shot Nate was talking about.
Bob was the real deal for sure! I think he was all about the adrenaline rush and adventure of hunting dangerous game in Africa.Howard said in his forward for Bob's other book,"Sagittarius", that Bob took too many risks when hunting them and thought he might end up getting killed. Too bad Bob had to check out the way he did.
He said in "Saggittarius" that he loved to film and paint the North American Kings of the mountains,like elk,grizz and sheep,but didn't have a keen desire to kill any of them.
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc156/goshawkin/photo_zpsb66e3994.jpg)
That Swinehart special looks like a awesome bow. I know Owen Jeffery told me he made Swinehart a bow once. which other recurves did he shoot? I see he used a Pinto and a Bushmaster.
Cool thread. I had never heard of Bob Swinehart before but remember seeing the buffalo picture. Sounds like he was an amazing hunter. So many amazing hunters died so young, Schafer, Scheyler, Swinehart. Did he die hunting as well? Sorry don't mean to hijack just fascinated by the history.
BTW, I found a copy of In Africa for sale on A##### for a cool $500. Might be worth it sounds like. :)
I have a first edition copy of In Africa that I acquired from a bud. Great pics. and Bob no doubt was a risk taker. He also loved pretzels and a can of them can be seen in most pics. that were taken around his hunting camps. They said he ate over 100#s of them in a year. Shawn
i have a howatt bushmaster and it looks nothing like any of the bows shown. it's a really good shooter.
QuoteOriginally posted by NormanDale33:
Swinehart. Did he die hunting as well? Sorry don't mean to hijack just fascinated by the history.
Suicide,after the death of his father,murder of his brother and his wife wanting a divorce all in the span of a few months
The good die young,Swinehart was quite the hunter and shot as we all know.He took his own life with his .243 rifle,he was interegated big time and was one of the prime suspects in cops eyes when his brothers frozen,dead corpse was found in his own car.Bob was what they called a CRACKER in the war,one of the guys who had the job of thawing and cracking dead soldiers might have made Bob have flash backs when he saw his brother dead in frozen state !! What a shame.
Sagittarius with Dust jacket & "In Africa" are 2 of the Coolest Archery/Bowhunting books ever !!
QuoteOriginally posted by Tom Phillips:
Sagittarius with Dust jacket & "In Africa" are 2 of the Coolest Archery/Bowhunting books ever !!
I agree with that :thumbsup:
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc156/goshawkin/photo_zps0abec066.jpg)
Awesome pics Tim! I'm really looking forward to reading his books. One of these days I'll catch them when the timing is right.
(http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr180/two4hooking/Trad%20Know%20How/668655077_o_zpsd773b377.jpg) (http://s481.photobucket.com/user/two4hooking/media/Trad%20Know%20How/668655077_o_zpsd773b377.jpg.html)
(http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr180/two4hooking/Trad%20Know%20How/668655054_o_zpsc3e7297b.jpg) (http://s481.photobucket.com/user/two4hooking/media/Trad%20Know%20How/668655054_o_zpsc3e7297b.jpg.html)
(http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr180/two4hooking/Trad%20Know%20How/ango10_zps246d05bf.jpg) (http://s481.photobucket.com/user/two4hooking/media/Trad%20Know%20How/ango10_zps246d05bf.jpg.html)
Someone is trying to sell a copy of Sagittarius and In Africa on **** for $495 each. Priced a little high in my opinion!
Oops...
Was it Bob Swinehart who once hunted rhinos with rubber blunt tipped arrows? I seem to recall reading that many years ago.
I don't think so. At least I don't remember him mentioning it either of his books. Of course, rhino hunting has since been been banned in most, if not all, African countries. I've read of some wheelie bow guys using blunts. Apparently if they shoot one with a blunt, they feel they can record it as a could have been kill. Go figure.
Wow.... I did not know the story behind his brother, although I did read where he had taken his own life.
I would give anything to have both those books as I've always loved reading stories about Bob and in my opinion this was the glory days of African Safari hunting at its best.
To bad I'm off again soon for my second safari myself in 6 weeks time or I would have jumped on those two books.
QuoteOriginally posted by Orion:
I've read of some wheelie bow guys using blunts. Apparently if they shoot one with a blunt, they feel they can record it as a could have been kill. Go figure.
Hmm... Rhinos' are ill tempered on a good day. Can't imagine what they're like after a smack of a rubber blunt. :eek:
I have no connection, nor do I care what someone tries to sell books for. Sheesh. The point of my resurrecting this thread was just hoping for some more discussion on the man and maybe others might find some of this as interesting as I did. I was lucky enough to have two friends lend me the books to read and thought they were too cool! :notworthy:
The man does not get much of a mention anymore, and I think his accomplishments were amazing.
I heard one of his relatives were trying to sell some of his archery gear a while back. Wonder if anyone was ever successful in getting any of it? I would love to see some pics of his gear.
Did Bob build any of his own bows or did he have a bowyer at HHA make them? Which? There was a picture in Sagittarius of him with a bow on a tiller tree?? :campfire: