Hi everyboby, I've the opportunity to buy a used Saxon American longbow.

You can see what is written on the riser.

Can someone help me understand the meaning (except for poundege and lenght) and, more or less, the age of the bow ? Thanks in advance.

It's just his serial number,probably only the bowyer might be able to give your info on what it means.I do believe he is not making bows anymore.I mean it's not like a Bear or Damon Howatt where they have more collectable bows.They have been making bows for 50+ years and had some reason when they put their serial numbers on their bows as to year,they were manufacturers.I don't know if Randy built all is bows himself or maybe have someone helping him?I don't know if they are collected enough where someone might be familiar with the way he numbered his bows?

Sadly, Randy passed away a couple of years ago. No one's restarted the business. Best (only) source I've come across for Saxon's is a small shop in Massachusetts-don't remember the name offhand; if I find it I'll post.

firekeeper, the company selling Saxon bows is oldbow.com and they usually only have a few Saxon American recurves there, more often than not only lefties. God and Christ Bless

I really wish they were still in production .

I liked Randy, he was an ornery cuss just like me. He was also a hell of a bowyer and it's a shame he left too soon. I talked to him several times at Denton Hill many years back. I did buy one of his American recurves and it was an awesome bow. I also had one of his longbows that he made for Larry Nirk's archery. I am amazed at how many people come forward after someone is gone saying they wish they would have bought one of those bows. If that's really true, then better buy one now when you see it.

I had a 60lb AT Saxon longbow that I absolutely loved . Loved it . Just before I deployed , it got destroyed in a car wreck . One of those fortunate/unfortunate things . Anyway , I said as soon as I got home I'd buy another . Then I got home and learned that Saxon was no more . Heart broke.

I had his Kadiak, a 1959 Bear Kodiak Clone. 57#@28". It was a very fast shooting bow with high early draw weight, and very slender limbs. I was always concerned that those limbs were going to twist, even tho I used a stringer.

The CH at the end of the serial number was Charlie, forgot his last name who made some of Randys bows. Charlie was one heck of a bowyer and he made some of my early Shrew bows.

I had one of his LB's for awhile. It shot better than me. I traded it for a recurve bow for the wife. He made bows for Rancho Safari in the early 90's.

He made a good bow I killed my first traditional deer with a 62" American recurve with Osage riser and elm limbs. I had Randy make a twin to it only smaller for my daughter . She still has hers , like an idiot I sold mine to a buddy for next to nothing as he was just getting started. A couple years later he told me he sold it the leather wall for what I sold it to him for , he said it only lasted a few minutes before someone paid his full price ! I thought Randy's grandson was going to start making them again but haven't seen anything more in months. With that said they are a nice solid well built bow .

I bought a Nirk recurve made by Randy off eBay and after shooting it, I was like "Damn! I've gotta get in touch with the guy who made them!" After contacting Randy through the now-defunct saxonarchery.com site, I had him make me two Selkirks, an American Traditional recurve, and nearly had him make me a Hawk.

As George D. Stout stated, Randy Dehnel was an ornery ol' cuss, and sometimes I got the impression he had been "in his cups" when I'd call, but he always remembered me, and even the names I'd have him inscribe on my bows in that awesome script he lettered his bows with...had a hankerin' for a 50's style recurve lately, but I don't know if I'd like any of them as much as I liked Randy's. God and Christ Bless

Forgot to mention I did get one of his kid's bows for my daughter when she was 8 or so. Shot darn well. Ended up trading it since she didn't stick with shooting; glad another kid got a very sweet bow (and I got a beautiful quiver!).

George the bow I had I bought from you D' Arc Angel

I eventually got the bow: fast and smooth and it's easy to be accurate !

I never found Randy to be ornery! He was always a gentleman. I had the pleasure of calling he and Larry Nirk friend. Both of them passed way too young. Bob

I talked with Randy a couple times in person and also found him personable and a gentleman. One of the meetings was at NW Archery when he was bringing Glenn some of his bows and TD sleeves to sell. If Mr. St. Charles is dealing his bows, then they are worthy.

Over the years, I bought his one piece longbow, a TD longbow, the Hawk, and a Kadiak. They were great bows, but 20 years ago I could handle 60# bows better than today and traded them all away.

If a 45-50# bow of his comes up for sale...

Re-reading this thread, I remembered that Randy came to the(2000?) Kalamazoo Expo to introduce the Kadiak. If I remember correctly, anyone who ordered a Kadiak that weekend or bought one he brought, Glen St. Charles (who was there) would autograph it. That's what I remember. I stood in front of the table, looking at the Kadiaks he brought. Some had a maple sight window, but most had the purple heart. Was anyone else there and saw this? It would have been on Sat

call traditional archery supply in Whitman, Massachusetts (search not sure if I can post the web address) they was his only dealer in these parts, send them the pic and they can break it down for you. for what its worth I heard from these same folks that Randy's son inherited all the bow making equipment including ole cuddy hunk his home made lam grinder and wanted to start the business back up because he grew up learning from randy and working in the shop,,, his business skills need help though which is the delay.

great bow though if your comfortable with 55# they are really great bows

Bought a lefty Nirk longbow at Renner's shop in Jamesburg NJ back in the 80's. Man, I could hit anything with that bow. Lot's of fun memories late winter bow hunting at the Gap. Getting old and can't handle the 55# anymore tho.

I bought a Saxon Express over 20 yrs ago from a local bow shop here in Fairbanks, Alaska. It's LH, 68 inches, 63 # draw wt at 28". I think this bow was made when Randy was at Medicine Lake, WA.

It's a great bow. I tried to buy a LH American longbow today, but could not negotiate with the owner. $600 is a lot of money for a used bow. Just saw one advertised for $275, but it's a right hander.

Anyway, I did talk to Randy on the phone one time and we had a great conversation. I was thinking about ordering another bow. I did not find him to be problematic at all. Maybe near the end of his life, when he we ill, his temper may have been short. Makes sense, don't you think? Here's to a good man and a great bow. Salute!

Randy was a very good craftsman I bought a American longbow from him my son was very happy with it my first longbow was a Redhawk I bought from Ron LaClair.

I really like his bows. Well made. I have a longbow and recurve in the American model. Like to find another one. Any for sale out there?

My Selkirk was made by Charlie Wheeler and Josh Howard.

I have a La Clair Special made by Randy,longbow 60" amo,40#@28"

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