Just purchased an Apollo off the big auction site and from what I can tell the bow was made in 1966. What I need help with is the roman #2 under the writing. Does this mean it was a second ? Finish is really in need of help.

That bow is mis labeled. It is not an Apollo, they were 66” bows. That one being 60” and those II means it should be a Safari II.

I think Kelly nailed it, although I also think the Nomad II was made on the same forms as the Safari, and the only difference was that they used some great pieces of rosewood in the Safari line, and something more ordinary in the Nomads.

The fact that the seller mis-labeled it probably means that the name decal is gone...which happens fairly often on those old Brownings. The good news is that either way it should be a fine performer, and well worth the effort of refinishing.

The Apollo label is still there and the II is under the serial number and bow weight.

Ah, I checked eBay but they (or somebody) had already pulled the listing. So it sounds like somebody was just having a bad day at the factory. Was it a rosewood bow?

I'll be anxious to hear from you with the actual measurements,etc., as that bow is a mix of contradictory information. One thing, though, is sure: it wasn't a second. By 1966 Browning was selling its "factory seconds" with no Browning labeling, instead adding a large Black and White sticker to the lower limb, "Deluxe Laminated Bow"

I should get the bow later this week. I let you know what ive got. I saw a decal but thought it was Brownung one. Definitely looks like rosewood. I was thinking the ther day that it would be nice to have a bow to refinish. Thanks

It has a plain looking rosewood handle. Crookedstix look for it on eBays completed auctions under Browning Apollo.

I did that, and there was inly one very bad photo, along with the information that the listing was no longer available...but your word is good enough for me Kelly!

Hey Grizzly, Was it the browning bow serial 6G159, 60" II in left hand? Brown back glass and cream white belly, that is an apollo. My 66 safari II has brown back and belly and the designator for safari was C. The serial number looks correct. When you refinish it, mark it with the correct information. Just had a bad day at the browning plant on that one.

Yep, that's the one. I believe you're probably right. The G leads me to think its an Apollo. Might have been a Friday bow by a tired worker. Mix of markings. It does appear to be longer and I cant tell if that belly glass is white or not but I should know later in the week. It looks like it could have twist to but the price was right.

I got the bow today. It is a 66" Apollo. Had just enough of the decal left to see the last L and O. I unpacked the bow and checked it over, went to grab the tape measure and the rest of the Apollo decal fell off in the process. Kind of straight grained rosewood but it will still look nice. A touch of twist that hopefully I can get out. Any leads on an "Apollo" decal ? Might have to try and fashion one. Try to post a refinished pic someday when I get it done. Limbs are brown and tanish cream color. May just be the yellowing of the finish. Its a pain to do the limbs. I'm going to try and just do the riser and fix that decal. After I do that, then I'll try to string it up and see if she blows.

I just sold a Browning Apollo [I think 63 ] It had brown face glass and light cinnamon tan belly glass and sported a slab of rosewood for a riser. From memory the Apollo decal was really small and on the front face. It was a hell of a shooter !!

Shooting my 1962 Apollo tonight. Not sure what the riser woods are.

I have a 66" Apollo 62#@28" Good shooter

On Ebay, you can always find the bow under "completed listings" after it is sold. Just FYI.

Got her done. You guys were right about not getting all the original finish off. Once I had that done, the color balanced out nicely albeit quite dark. The pictures show a lot of sunlight highlighting the bow. It is much darker looking inside a building. I think I'm going to try and hang it inside in front of a window and see what the sun does to the color over a period of time. My house stays relatively cool and I don't think ill have any delamination problems. We'll see! The person who mismarked the bow must have been having a bad day as they got the poundage wrong too. It is a 32# bow, not 52#. Guess I can make an 8 strand string and replace that 14 strand I made for it. It has a slight twist to the top limb but the skinny string might set better in the groove and eliminate more of that. All in all a nice bow and she should have an extended life. Now I gotta start looking for a safari or safari 2.

I used spray lacquer to seal this one before tru-oiling.

Decals I fabricated do not look very good, don't look too close. They have the right basic shape but that's about it.

Sorry for the fuzzy pic, small tips and the scratches are not as bad as they appear.

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