Favorite vintage recurves

[WyomingWhitetail]

So I am wanting to find a a 30ish pound recurve to use for practice, form work, rehabbing my shoulder, an extra bow to let poeple try, etc. I have an old Wing we shot as kids and its always been a good bow but its 40# and I would like something a little lighter. I thought about getting a cheap ilf setup, but generally perfer buying old American vs new Chinese. I thought about building a bow, and will at some point, but its shooting weather right now.

This lead me to the idea of picking up a good light weight vintage recurve. Not looking to spend a whole lot. I wasnt around for the hey day of Wing, Ben Pearson, etc so I dont know which models are the stars and which ones should be avoided.

What would be some good ones to look for? What's your favorite vintage production recurve ?

[rainman]

Wilson brothers Black Widow bows, Hoyt Prohunter, Ben Pearson Sovereign, and Bear Polar.

[Hud]

You can some idea about bows and model numbers by look at the Vintage Archery catalogs  They are grouped by mfgr/year  https://www.vintagearchery.org/catalogs.html

[Hud]

https://www.vintagearchery.org/catalogs.html

[WyomingWhitetail]

Thats a pretty cool resource. Didn't know that site existed. My dad used to shoot a take down stemmler untill a limb twisted. Think he's still got it in a box.

[soap creek]

I have a Bear Tigercat that I really like. Mine is a 1968 model. It's 62in 45lbs. I've seen them in lighter poundage. I like how they shoot. You can usually pick them up for well under $200.

[Roy from Pa]

Victor Viking early 70's.

[WyomingWhitetail]

Does anyone have any recommendations for online sales of these vintage bows? I watch the RMS gear inventory and they get some good ones in, but I dont know other trustworthy sites. Tons on Ebay but its always a risk and the pictures normally aren't good enough to see problems. Not much locally unfortunately.

[Blackcow]

Kevin Bishop @ Traditionaljunk.com has a good selection, and is a great guy.

[MnFn]

American Archery Cheetah. Great bow, I gave it to my son as it is 60# @28". Too much for me. Shooting more longbows anyway.

[WyomingWhitetail]

Just built a string for this old wing we used to shoot as kids. This one is 41# and is really a nice bow.

[kopfjaeger]

I have two favorite vintage recurves. Both are 1980s factory camo Bear Kodiak Takedowns.

[kopfjaeger]

My favorite one-piece bow. My 1972 factory camo Bear Super Kodiak.

[Nosight]

Favorite old bow
1967 fred bear blond polar at 35#
Have had this one for over 40 years

[MCNSC]

Hard to find but the old Jeffery Archery bows shoot as good as anything I've shot.

[WyomingWhitetail]

Ebay just dropped these off at my door. Afraid I may have caught another sickness. A tri-state wildcat. Early im guessing from the weird texture of the glass.  A york that seems super sweet and a stemmler which seems a little cluncky but maybe it will grow on me.

[WyomingWhitetail]

I wasnt sure about the stemmler grip at first, but it feels really good while shooting it.

[soap creek]

I second Blackcow. Kevin Bishop has a big selection and is a good guy to deal with.

[Steelhead]

Kodiak 64 inch 59er was a sweet shooter for me

[Steve D]

Shakespeare Necedahs, Root Warrior bows. Perform with the best, underrated
in my opinion.