Zipper Recurve dollar value

Dustin Waters · January 02, 2008, 03:42:00 PM

To make a long story as long as possible, I was sitting in a parking lot at a local university early in the morning over the weekend waiting on my hunting buddy to come pick me up, when a securtiy officer from the school approached to ask what I was doing. He asked if I was going hunting and I said yes (I think the camo hat and plaid shirt might have given it away), anyways he asks what I'm hunting with and I tell him a recurve. Expecting some sort of over the glasses look I didnt expect to have him answer back at me, with oh traditional, you interested in buying some equipment.

UGH PURCHASE EQUIPMENT.... yeah please. We go through his list and he tells me years ago he purchased a zipper recurve from the owner of zipper recurves at Cloverdale in Indiana. He said it was the owners personal bow and the serial numbers are zeroes. Indicating it to be the first made before big production started. I asked a price and it seemd ridiculous to me, but given the bow is good shape with no twisted limbs and no cracks or scuffs, everything is how you would expect a quality bow to look. What would you expect to pay for a used zipper? I looked at the web page and the new ones are running in the 800 range I think. Among the zipper there were several other bows but I wanted to see what the guys of Tradgang had to say about a value? If there are any zipper enthusiasts here let me know if it is possible to have a zero serial number.

Like I said making a long story long but I think you guys can really help me on this one.
Thanks

beachbowhunter · January 02, 2008, 03:50:00 PM

I've never seen a serial number on a Zipper. An older Zipper in good shape should be anywhere from $350 to $500 give or take (even one owned by Bob Thompson the original bowyer). Great bows by the way.

David Bartholomew · January 02, 2008, 06:11:00 PM

Serial numbers on pre production Zipper bows? You might want to give Bob Thompson a call on that one... sounds odd. The new ones I'm pretty sure do have serial numbers, and honestly.. I think that's a good thing.

As far a resale... it all depends on what the bow is made of and then what little add ons are included (like arrow inlays.. fadeouts, antler accents, ectera). Also, resale is based on who's buying it, and how much they "need it".

I agree with beachbowhunter on the average resale for a BASE LINE bow... $350.00 - $500.00.

To me, it doesn't matter if the bow in question was the bowyer's personal bow or not... once it leaves his hands... it's just a bow.

I love the Zipper recurve, and I still have 'em on the wall in my home! Simply beautiful workmanship. I just shoot longbows now.

I don't think you can go wrong in buying a Zipper recurve. However, try before you buy!

Respectfully,
David

Izzy · January 02, 2008, 07:05:00 PM

Why is the fella selling it? Youll be hard pressed to find a better curve(Sorry For The Biased Opinion).Get in touch with Bill Dunn as far as the serial numbers go.Hell probably know. $400.00 and up is about the going rate for a goodun.

A.S. · January 02, 2008, 08:16:00 PM

Bob Thompson made one for me in 1990, it cost $350 new then (if that helps any). Absolutely no serial number on my bow.

Dale Graves · January 02, 2008, 09:59:00 PM

Like A.S. Bob & Larry made me a bow in 1990 , and I do not recall seeing any serial numbers on their bows,and they are none on mine. Dale

Brutus Hedgeapple · January 02, 2008, 10:13:00 PM

Mine is from '83 or '84 and there is no serial # on it anywhere. If the price is right, but it, you won't be sorry.

Brutus

Jim Jackson · January 02, 2008, 10:15:00 PM

I inquired with Mr. Dunn about an older zipper recurve that was for sale on the classified some time back. He indicated that Bob didn't do serial numbers, nor did he really keep any specific records. Get a look and take some pics.

Dustin Waters · January 04, 2008, 05:25:00 PM

I will try to set up sometime either this week or next to take a look at the bow and get some pics of it. Then Ill post back and see what you fellas think. Thanks for the info fellas

overbo · January 04, 2008, 08:57:00 PM

I know Bob personally and I've seen the first Zipper.It still hangs in his basement strung as of this past September and w/ all that time strung,he told me it has only lost a pound off the original weight.
There are some 1 peice Zippers that Larry built that have serial#'s

cjones · January 05, 2008, 12:03:00 AM

Ok let me throw something into the mix, Bob did put serial numbers on a few bows many years ago and Bill Dunn will tell you the same. Last year at the bowyers journal expo in Wheeling i held and took pics of a zipper with a serial number on it and the number was 006! Bill has been putting serial numbers on all of his bows since buying the company.