I have been in Trad Achery a long time but I am new to Jack Howard bows but am a complete convert.

Is there a Rhyme or Reason behind the serial numbers?

Gamemaster Jet:

The X is for Carbon, that much I know.

Gamemaster Jet:

What about F = Last Edition F-803. Why not an L for Last?

What about M = Final Edition M-963. Why an M versus an F for Final?

B? E? On the Gamemaster’s?

Don’t know. Sweet bows!

Phil Magistro would be one who may know since he knew Jack. No idea from me. I have shot few of his bows and they were very fast bows but really didn't fit me very well. A lot of guys just love them. There was an opportunity to buy the company from Jack years ago and he was even going to help the new owner with training. No one wanted to take on the task.

Thats not true George. Infact, I began speaking with Jack about a month before he passed. He was supposed to mail me a BUNCH of info about his building process. But I guess we got our wires crossed concerning my mailing address. I never recieved the info. Unfortunately I was never able to aquire the funds to try and pick up where he left off. He was an absolute joy to talk to. I truly regret not being able to continue what he perfected.

Hutch

Kelly Peterson knows more about the numbering scheme Jack used. I don’t know what they all meant but the Gmameaster had different numbering and letters than the Jet and the later shorted Gamemaster classics had diffeeent numbers. Then there was the Final Edition numbers.

Hutch- Jack has his business up for sale for at least ten years, probably more. I put together a website to help him sell it and there were some folks that expressed interest but no takers.

Phil even had the information here Hutch, telling folks of the proposed opportunity, and that Jack would help the buyer..even teach them about the business and bow building. It was many months before Jack passed. So what exactly is not true about that?

Im aware Jack was trying to sell the business for a long time. But, like I said, I was in then process of taking over the business. I had arraignments made to spend as much time as possible with Jack to learn his process. Unfortunately, the plans that where made fell apart on my end, and then he was gone.

Ahhhh, Phil is here. Thanks.

I wouldn't argue w/ George until he gets old and crotchety!)

And no worries about whether anyone believes me. i had only spoke to Jack. I never went through any website, I called him directly. Spoke to him several times. We had an agreed upon price. My Father was even going to help finance the change of ownership, but like i said, it fell apart on my end

Phil remembers it well. I only remember what Phil posted back then.

Anyhow, my apoligies to the original poster. I really wasnt trying to highjack your thread, just reflecting more or less

Hutch, I do remember when you wanted to buy Jack’s business. There were others too. He was asking a lot but he had all the machines and a decent supply of vermillion and rosewood. Would have been interesting hearing from someone that worked directly with him.

I was all set up and ready to go see Jack. In fact I was scheduled to be there at his home a week after his passing. But like I said already everything on my end fell apart( I had a marriage that was failing)

Had he not passed away, I truly believe that I couldve made it happen. But, Things are what they are and I geuss it was never meant to be.

Hutch, that would have been a special buy if you could have made it.

Yes it wouldve. I tried like %$#& to make it happen.

You guys are hilarious.

Anyway, the serial number/letter system remains a mystery.

Here are my prized Howard Bows.

Is there any practical way to reverse-engineer some of Jack's bows? Would you have to destroy a few bows to figure out what he did? Or could you carefully measure several bows and figure out how to reproduce his work?

Glad you find it amusing, the world needs more humor.

There’s no need to reverse engineer his bows. He was pretty open about how he made them.

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