Anyone familiar with Herter bows? Just picked up a Sambar junior recurve. Im always amazed when I find an old bow thats in such great shape. Not sure how to put a date on it.

I have had two. Both very fine performers for me. Outstanding rosewood in the risers. I recall their chief designer was Barrie- seemed to know his stuff. Seems like by 1970 or so they pretty much closed up shop. Prior to that I would drool over their catalog- model perfect this or that and pictures of their African game. They took a lot of my lawm mowing money- binocular, arrows (fiberglass and aluminum), camo clothes, hunting knife and more.

I’m not familiar with the Sambar Junior . I’ve owned 2 Sitkas. Presently own 2 Sambars, an International Match Hunter and a shorty Perfection. Always enjoyed thumbing through their catalog.

Herter's didn't have many products that were top quality with the exception of their archery equipment. That's where they could shine. The bows were as good as any top name brand.

Bob

The BOWS by HERTER'S SEEM to have been excellent but those FARBEN-GLASS arrows were the PITS! BEEN THERE...TRIED THAT and they were a big disappointment! You needed a FIRST CLASS SHAFT CUTTING SAW and for a teenager making min wage, the SAW would have been out of question. I don't know where Herter's got their Aluminum deals, What target shooting that I did was EASTON 24SRTX. Since I WAS and AM a lousy shot, I would have to have GEORGE SOROS rich to keep shooting the metal stuff. Just sayin'

Oh man whatever good things I said about their bows certainly does not apply to their arrows. My farbenglass arrows all split from the target point pushing into the shafts end. I wrapped the ends with tape coated with glue to slow that down. Just looking at the aluminum arrows made them bend.

Herter's Model Perfection Everything! LOL! Great times. First real bow I ever bought was a International Match Hunter back in 1972. Owned several Herter's bows and all were very good though the risers were just massive. I don't think we will ever see commercial bows made with that grade of wood again, absolutely beautiful.

Just finished cleaning up my 58" Sitka that I shot deer and my first few elk with, bought it camo painted, never knew how beautiful a bow it was till I removed the paint!!! the riser is just beautiful! I killed many deer and elk with those farbenglas shafts and my first deer with a Herter's MX broadhead. Yes I was a Herter's fan.

As a collector and restorer I have had and shot dozens of brands. I have had a few Herters - Perfections, Sitkas, Utopians. Although most models have large risers, which many archers do not like, they are smooth, with little to no stack, shooters. Incidently, back in the 1960's Jim Ploen shot a perfect 300 using a Utopian. They are well made and I'd put them up against most other companies. The date of manufacturer is the fourth and fifth number in the nomenclature. For example: 66066315 made in 1966.

have a few herters bows, very good bows!

never had any trouble with the old farbenglas arrows either, got my first iowa deer with one in 1968.

I have a weakness for Herters rosewood. Here’s my ‘71 Perfection Sitka, and as zealotox said, the date is in the serial number.

I had their takedown what a great bow. But don’t break a string the bottom will stick in the ground in the top limb will hit a bird. Don’t ask me how I know.????????

Paul, They made the Perfection Sitka in a target model in 1976. 72" and 66". In the catalog they stated that there 72" would outcast most competitive hunting bows. White glass only and a 12-12 1/2" brace on the 72". You would have had to hand out $64 to bring it home.

Good Shooting->->->->Craig

Heres a picture of the bow. Still not sure of the date.

I know they were still making kids bows around '79 or so as I bought both my kids Herters bows to start out with.

I never ordered much from them I was pretty young in n the sixtys but I remember reading there product description and it was unlike other catalogs.They would have an entire page just for a parring knife.And it would describe the item as the best in the entire world etc any way they advertised there bows as using German farben glass and it was the finest in the entire world .

Every model was always bigger, longer, shorter or whatever than any other. You make a 72” bow, Herters made a 75”. You make a 48”, Herters makes a 44”! All kidding aside, they made great bows. Have had many , including my first! Arrowchucker

Here is the metal riser version, with 50lb limbs. Not pictured is the original bow quiver.

I don't know who made the bows for them but they were good & usually had beautiful wood. Most were on the bulky side. I have one of the smaller ones left. I believe it is just like iowacedarshooter's above. Beautiful little bow but on the stout side for me now days. >>>>------> Ken

mahantango - That is a cool looking bow...

Herters made their own bows. The bowyer was Bob Barrie who also designed the Rocky Mountain Razor broadhead.

Here’s one of mine I had better pictures saved but can’t find them but it was in near new condition when I received it with some original Herters arrows in box as well.

Was reintroduced to Herters Bows when gifted this 1973 75” Utopian Takedown a couple years ago…

these bows ARE GORGEOUS, I GREW UP READING THE hERTER'S CATALOGS WITH Dad, WE WERE BIG IN small town duck n goose hunting in the '50s and '60s. I never had one of these bows in hands, but I sure like their looks.

JAY that is ONE NICE LOOKER bow. hey all of them shown here ARE.

Enjoying this thread. I have a herters recurve made in March 1959. Have one arrow left from a doz arrows my dad bought me in 1971. The broadheads were hard to sharpen for a kid. And I also use a herters single stage reloading press now. As a kid I always look forward to the herters catalog ,,it was great reading.

I attribute those Herter’s catalogs for awaking The Hunter in me as a young boy. I would still love to read through them now….

Oh their catalogs were dream books to me.

The Herter's catalog NEVER got taken to the outhouse!

Burner

Leroy that was why they came out with the JC Penny catalogue so we wouldn’t “MESS Up “ the good catalogues lol…

I have had a couple of them and regret selling both.

one of the old time bowhunters [tom tucker] from knoxville iowa, early 1960s that shot herters bows. he shot some great bucks in those days with herters bows!

my old herters takedown, still puts those arrows in there!

Here’s a very nice Sitka

I just cut a deal with a friend for this Herter 52” Perfection. 50# @28. It has a few small scratches consistent with its age. It has a Saxon brush rest. Nice little bow. The grip isn’t super thick like some other Perfections I’ve had.

Shaft comparison

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