This old bow is at a local archery shop, ive shot it there a few times and will most likely purchase it. The only markings are on the lower limb in the pic I provided, the store owner says it could be a shakespear, or a ben pearson hes not sure. I snapped a pic of the markings but im having trouble figuring out what it is. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I'm guessing its a 58" Wing Red WIng Hunter.

Wing Red Wing Hunter

You need to provide a profile shot and tips. Probably a wing but need more pics.

Ill take more pics when I head back to the shop ill probably be buying it just because I like how it feels and shoots, and im in the market for a shorter bow. If it is a wing whats the quality like on those bows?

If it’s a Red Wing Hunter, it’s a good one. Been around a very long time.

That's most likely a pre-Head Wing

Pre head-wing?

HeadSki Company. They were built by Wing Archery, HeadSki Co., AMF. Company sold twice I think. Today I believe the original owners son has the company back now.

Gotcha I knew it was sold 2x. he means it was a bow from before headski bought it. Im doing some research on the serial number. Cant get a read on the 4242 part but the rw does seem to mean it was made before headski bought the company, but the earliest seem to be just an r in front of the numbers

Wings are notoriously hard to date. I'm hunting with a similar RWH this fall. They are excellent bows. Light, fast and quiet(able).

The tips give a clue, as do any decals. Thinner is older.

Ill have to check when I go back to the shop, but I would say the tips look like the middle one in the photo, one thing I noticed while shooting it at the shop, was how smooth and quite it was. Ive been shooting a samick sage for about 6 years now, and I think this will be a nice upgrade. Sage is a nice bow, but I was looking for something shorter to tote into the stand.

It is a 1964 RWH.

Thats awsome! Can I ask how you interpreted the serial number?

Mr. Pdiddly knows these bows. I have 4 of them. If the serial started with just R-instead of RW- the bow would have the 'tiny tips". For bow hunting from a stand or on the ground, this bow does very well. I have not found anything not to like about the RWH. You just have to shoot one, feel the sculpted grip and stare into the almost translucsent beauty of the riser wood. RWH- do well with a reasonable high brace height. So much of the limb is actually working that the bow can shoot a wide variety of arrow weights and sizes. I shot my 53# RWH with tiny tips through a chronograph at one of our Pope and Young Shoots(Traditional Archers of Oregon). 30" 2117 w/ 125 grain Zwickey== 187fps average of 3 shoots. I shoot heavy, durable arrows at cedar stumps and nutria. The Head ski bows weer not produced for very long- very good bows= and AMF bows that i have shot and owned were heavier and maybe a bit less refined but still very good shooters. AMF made me feel a bit less concerned about being care full and are made pretty durable. More mass to the riser. For my all around "truck" bow, I have a transition bow+ RW serial with heavier riser.That is the bow I would grab if i had to join the fight.

You really can't. Bob Lee reset to zero every year.

The original ("Tiny Tips" were started in 1951 and made in Houston, TX. Then he moved to Bellaire, TX in 1953. I've had two of the originals, and one blew up in my hands. I semi-retired the other one. Nothing else I have shoots as nice. It's the lightest mass weight bow I own. Feels like less than a pound.

At some point Wing went from a transfer decal to a silk screen logo. The decals series seem to be better crafted.

1963 to 1966 used a "RW" prefix

Head Ski used "RA" in 1967, but they also used "RW(?)

AMF bought the pattern and went back to an "R" in 1968

My favorite to hunt with are the Pre-Head but next-size up tips. (Having a bow blow up in your hands no fun). Very rugged but they perform well. I have a Head that is a bit rough but shoots well enough. That's my back-up. I avoid AMF. I also like to find them for under $120 by waiting and

I have owned six, still have the blown tip and it's stablemate (retired). In the past three years I've hunted Red Wing Hunters and they are my favorite tree-stand bow (I draw 30* and stick to the 58" models).

A few comments...

"At some point Wing went from a transfer decal to a silk screen logo. The decals series seem to be better crafted."

The silkscreen began in 1967

"1963 to 1966 used a "RW" prefix"

RW was used in the 1967 transition bows as well.

Head Ski used "RA" in 1967.

Yes, with the Head Ski logo

RW was last used in 1967. RA was used until early 1969.

"AMF bought the pattern and went back to an "R" in 1968

When AMF took over the serial numbers b RW

A few comments...

"At some point Wing went from a transfer decal to a silk screen logo. The decals series seem to be better crafted."

The silkscreen began in 1967

"1963 to 1966 used a "RW" prefix"

RW was used in the 1967 transition bows as well.

Head Ski used "RA" in 1967.

Yes, with the Head Ski logo

RW was last used in 1967. RA was used until early 1969.

"AMF bought the pattern and went back to an "R" in 1968

When AMF took over the serial numbers were changed to T-1.

Sorry...Head Ski RWH were marked RA from 1968-69 and then R-1 with AMF from 1970.

I figured I would get some info here, but you guys really blew me away. Thanks so much for the information.

Tiny tips are visually attractive, but the wider tips do not detract from the performance, at least no enough for anyone to realize. Tips became wider as much for utility, safety as much as ease of manufacture. Bob Lee's bows, as they got more popular, had to be made in higher numbers and that usually will prohibit a lot of niceties of the original line. The Red Wing Hunter is an awesome bow and you'll be hard-pressed to find even a custom made that will shoot as well.

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