I just picked up a great looking Damon Howatt High Speed. I was wondering how to decipher the ser.no. Year of manufacture. The number is 2998 it is 58" with either bubinga or rosewood riser, with the radius accent stripe. I am thinking late 70s early 80s

Does anyone know how to determine build date?

I do not know the answer. My suggestion would be to also post this in the History/Collecting forum.

Hope that may help you and that you can find the information you are looking for.

Ray

Post a pic of the SN on Collecting, the first part is the year and last is the number made that year. Some include the No for the bowyer. Or call Ted Fry at Raptor. Check his website for days and hours of operation.

Thanks that giving me a place to start.

Try the company?  I heard they were out of business, but rescued.  Give them a whirl.

It would appear your bow is a 72 since the first digit is for the decade so (72, 82, 92, etc.) but the curved line is typical of the 70's.

Earlier Howatts (prior to '65) had serial numbers with the first digit denoting which bowyer made the bow.  

To pin down exact year, pics or detail descriptions are needed, but the curved stripe is a good clue.

Here are a couple of pictures to help.

Yep...bubinga riser from 1972 (the 998th bow built that year) and a winner in the looks and performance department.

1st time I ever saw a bow with the side it is shot on printed on it.

Nice looking bow.

Thanks Black Hawk. I thought maybe around that time. It does shoot up there with my customs.

I once dated a Mary Howatt