Through a giveaway on another site....I won a longbow of my choice, made by Charlie Jefferson (stringstretcher) of Fredericksburg, Va.  It was to be built to my specs, as a gift from Rob Green....

I decided on an osage longbow, with bamboo backing....and wanted it 45#@ 26"...

Well, after working overnight....the mail m'aam (did I get that right, Killdeer?   :rolleyes: ) woke me up after about three hours sleep....my early Easter present arrived in a PVC tube....not an egg!

Wiping the sleep from my aging eyes...I opened it up to find a beautiful bow, made by a dear friend....Charlie nailed it...claims it was the first one like this he has made...not sure I believe him...

It is 66", and 45#@26"....exactly what I wanted!  I have another 12 hour overnight shift tonight...but then have a long holiday weekend...and it just so happens that my archery club has a 3D this Friday and Saturday....guess what I'm shooting?  

I managed to take a few pics...more will come when I wake up...and actually get a chance to shoot it!

   













I met Charlie at ATAR a couple years ago...and he and our dog Spartacus became instant friends!  Spartacus always barks like crazy whenever I bring any of my bows out.....when I opened this one...not a sound!  It's like he sensed Charlie made it! Here he is making sure nobody takes it....



I have never named any of my bows...but this one is different...Charlie kept calling it a "Garage Bandit" bow...so that is it's name!

I plan on having it at Baltimore this May....and hopefully Charlie can make it so I can thank him in person and get a picture taken with him....and shoot and visit as well....

Lee

Very nice!

             
Thats fantastic Lee! He does make some beuatiful bows doesn't he.

I doubt I could shoot that straight grip, but it sure nuff is a pretty buggar, and made by Charlie Rufus Jefferson's own hands...would surely make it "specialx3"!

You find out when your other bow might return refinished?

Have a grand Holiday and good shooting with it!

That's pretty and it will be STUPID pretty in a couple of years of age to it!

Man I saw one of my old bows last night that had some yew veneers.  OMGOSH did it darken up nicely!

Congrats again Lee.  Soon as you get off work for the week we'll expect those money shot pics, ya know?  Enjoy Charlie's great work.

Wow that's a happy easter for sure!

Glad it made it there ok Lee, and glad you liked it.  I hope you get many years out of shooting it.

Happy Easter !

just don't shoot that white bunny next to it !

Very nice bow !
That's going to be even prettier when the Osage get deeper color    

Very nice, Lee (and Charles - good on ya!).

well, took it to our club 3D today to shoot it for the first time....and it shoots as nice as it looks......



I think I'm gonna keep it!


Lee

Nice  

Went to the archery range today, and shot the bow a little more...still working on shooting a lighter weight...and playing with arrow combinations....

Here it is at full-draw:



The more I shoot this bow, the more I like it!  Easy to hold on target.....quiet and smooth....


Lee   :D

You look good wearing that bow Lee.  Glad it worked out for you.

Nice looking bow!  Great color in that wood!    

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin

That bow is nice!!Enjoy shooting it.