Yesterday I received what I believe is a 1962 Browning Spartan in pretty good condition but just needed a new string and a little clean up . So I put a little TLC into it and installed one of my own custom made strike plates that I list in the classifieds sometimes. I also had some scrap seal skin I trimmed down and put on the shelf. I was very amazed by how little the limb tips are and made my b-50 Dacron string to fit those tiny tips (12) strand . Still need to serve the string and I’ll put a set of vintage brush buttons on it and make some string puffs as well. Here’s some pictures of how well the strike plate fit right behind the limb laminations on the sight window and it actually laid across the shelf really well .

Small tips with red glass on back

White on face .

Love the weight

This is how it came and I saved the brush rest for another bow . It actually showed in the catalogue this rest on them then and the glass color for that year .

It came bubble wrapped thank God and here’s the box it was shipped in . Never seen it done like this before !

Surprised it was bubbled wrap lol.

From the 1962 catalog

Nice thanks for sharing some old Browning bow history.

I watched this one on ebay, nice Browning, San Diego made by Gordon. I think these Browning bows are second to none. I restored the brush rest on my 1962 Olympian with a new leather plate. The brush rest works really well.

Browning did use a smaller lined strike plate in the 70's

Nice. Never shot a Browning bow I didn't like, buy no tip overlays is the weak spot on your bow. Install a set on your bow. In the long run you will glad you did.

Chuck , I laid some of my smaller strike plates on the shelf that has 3 lines and when I saw how much coverage the high profile had and how it seemed to really fit the window I decided to just use that one . The original brush plate I may redo the leather and dye it a different color and use it as well but not sure as of yet. It was shipped extremely fast and as a bonus they gave me a bear all glass bow for one my daughters to shoot. Very generous ebay seller and I gave them a really nice comment on their rating. All in all I’m very happy with the purchase and it will remain in our home for generations and passed down to my girls or their future husbands and children to enjoy.

Interesting recommended string length which I noticed on more than a couple of bows. Wasn't sure of the red glass but it grows on you. Nice find, have fun.

Nice bow. I have 2 of them, a 1962 and a 1963. I believe yours is a 1963. I wouldn’t worry about tip overlays, just stick with dacron. Nice job on the shelf and sideplate.

real nice KEITH I LIKE the red glass. Steve Long

Good looking bow.

Joe2crow , I’m not sure but is that why the first number a 3? Making it a 1963 ? Be neat if it does cause I was made that year myself lol…

That was my rehab bow in 30# after a surgery once.

Nice bow. I'm a Browning fan. One of my all-time favorites is a 43lb. Medallion that belongs to my wife.

Nice Browning, Enjoy

Keefers, that’s exactly right. And the “J” might mean September. At least, that’s how Shakespeare did it.

Nice bow Keefers. I like my Brownings too. Beautiful wood. Lance

Richard I believe it’s going to be my rehab bow as well it feels so good pulling the string . I’ve had my right hand severed and reattached in 1985 in a log splitter and pinned back on and as I age my bow poundage has really lowered what I can actually hold. This one is 36 but I’m going to check it but so far I’m liking the feel of it .

Hmmm Jeff I just may be learning something new today and thanks for the information to those who have them . I know this wasn’t a higher end browning but a beginners or adult and I’ve owned brownings before but those were the bigger tips from the 70s .

The Spartan was the bow model that I started archery with. Got it off ebay in San Diego.

Glad that the BOW arrived safe & SOUND! Your RESTORE WORK looks EXCELLENT! Join the FS group and show us how it shoots?

Mercy BOW COUP!!

Keefers, I just looked at my 1963 44# Spartan and the serial# is 3J220 so it was made the same month as yours.

First number is the year it was made, letter indicates the model bow, the number is that bows place in that year of production. Also the bows that have the model decal slanted, like your Spartan, tell you it is from the 60's, and made in San Diego. San Diego bows also have small tips. I also have a 1965 Nomad, no overlays, but shoots great with a B50 string I made for the bow. Generally Browning bows have better cast than contemporary bows of the same weight.

Jeff that’s awesome to know and we both live in Maryland .

Keith it was the 1972 catalog that showed the lined strike plates, here is a pic. Your larger version does look really good on the bow.

Chuck , I made quite a few of those 3 line Here’s a left hand one

Plenty of others as well I’ve done recently

Here’s a few I have but sold 2 a few days ago

Here’s the puffs I made to match the bow somewhat . I’ve never been a fan of the color red but as someone else mentioned I believe it grows on you . I did shoot a few arrows in my shop and with the wraps on the loops , some small vintage brush guards and the puffs it’s super quiet . I couldn’t believe how “ snappy” this light weight bow is.

The red is really bright and reminds me of the vintage red line hot wheels cars from the 60s and 70s . Sort of making it appear classy . I’m sure folks will be like “man it’s red “ ! Like I said I’m not a fan of red but it’s growing on me .

Keepers…..your bow is simply gorgeous……and the strike plate and rest is superb.

Very nice…it is a 1963…

Doesn't matter whether you shoot dacron string. I have fixed to many vintage recurves that had tip damage with no over lays that I had given to me , or that I bought dirt cheap on ebay, but your bow... your call.

That is a beauty!

Took it out today and had a hard time putting it away

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