Just picked up this old target bow,69", 30@28",and was wondering if anyone has any info about this brand? (It's a real club!, very massive)

Anyone???

I do not have a Franchi target bow, but have a Franchi over/under shotgun.  

Was the bow made in Italy?

Want to trade, Blackhawk???? (LOL) Seriously, there are no markings on the bow as to where it was made, but it sure is ugly!

As ugly as...
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=004325
???
sorry no offense.

I really think that my Franchi wins the ugly crown!! (Although that one runs a close second!)

Snufer -

Here is some info that I came across regarding Franchi bows (I do not know who the author is/was, but he does provide a link to an archery history site).

"It was created by the Franchi Firearms company in Bresciana, Italy. They promoted it as a promotional tool for the 1976 Olympics to help promote their already famous shotguns & rifles. They produced (3) different styles of which were fashioned after (3)styles of Ben Pearson bows. The Italian bows were 7070, 7266, and 7269 similar to Ben Pearson's 7070 Colt, 7166 Eliminator, & 7169 Centurian-69. It's unknown how many bows were produced, but a company named F.I.E. (Firearms Import & Export Co.) was contracted by Franchi to import many of these bows into the USA, thus, the USA marking on the side of the riser. You can go to the website:  www.archerymuseum.org  and press title "Museo Dell'arcieria arcieria dell'arco archery museum"....Translate and this will take you into the museum where pictures of all (3) bows are displayed."

Ray

Cool info Ray!  So they are made in Italy by the gun company.  

Thanks for te info Ray! just what I was looking for. I tried to go to the Archey Museum site, but it won't open. Blackhawk, this bow would go just perfect with your Franchi shotgun!(Beauty and the Beast!)

Fine Num.
Concise, and precise. Very interesting.

I have a left handed Franchi 7269. Thanks for the history lesson. Great bow.