Date Easton Aluminum Swift arrows

[Rabob]

Does anyone know when Easton came out with the aluminum Swift arrows without any anodizing and also when they started using the anodizing process?? Thanks in advance.

Regards,Ray

[Blackhawk]

I believe the first aluminum arrow was introducted by Easton around 1939.  The xx-75 came out in 1955 and pretty much ended production of softer, less quality aluminum arrows like the Swift.

So...between 1939 and 1955, but with the war in progress from 1941-45, I would narrow that to 1945 and 1955.

[PAPALAPIN]

We were using Swift arrows in the late '60s for NFAA and Naa competition.  

Average shooters used Swifts, better shotters used XX75s, the top shooters used X7s.

[ksbowman]

I remember shooting the green game getter 24srt shfts in the mid 70's. Didn't they come out before the xx75s?

[oldbohntr]

A Cleveland area bowyer named Emil Pikula gave me a couple of aluminum shafts he said he made in the 30s. Perhaps they were Eastons, perhaps he had the date wrong, who knows. There was also an early aluminum arrow referred to as the "needle nock". I've had one sitting around for so many years that I've lost track of who made it -or if it could be the Pikula shaft!  Darn, it's hard getting older!

I still have a bunch of Swift shafts, and some non-anodized 24SRT-Xs.  I agree with Jack, they were both made at the same time.  The earliest X7s that I remember were anodized-blue, I think.  I was never a competitive shooter, so anything I learned came from my collecting efforts.  The anodized GGs and Autumn Orange XXs came along in the 70s, I think.

[Rabob]

Thanks a bunch guys,you have been a big help.I'm shooting mid-60's Wilson Bros bows and wanted to start shooting that time period arrows.Looks like I need to be looking for the Swift arrows.
Thanks again.

Regards,Ray

[JavelinaHink]

Well not Eastons but I thought I'd post this info for you guys, the first Alum. Arrows

"Ye Sylvan Archer" April 1928 page 20...

Another Tru-Flight Metal Arrow Co. ad...reads

"The Tru-Flight Target Arrow, made from aeroplane tobing,well-known for its strength and lightness,fitted with hardened steel point and fibre nock, meets the requirements of the most fastidious. Single Arrows $1.75  6 Arrows $9.00
   Tru-Flight Metal Arrow Co. Fox Chase, Pa."

I have a set of 1929 aluminum arrows. Steel points and interesting nocks.

They were originally owned by Captain George J. Higgins, and have a note with them that states

"Set of eight purchased from Archers Co. Pinehurst, NC for $50.00 in 1929 Used in the Olympic Trials in 1932, Los Angeles, 1936 Berlin. Refletched in 1940, games canceled. Won competition in Honolulu Nov 6 1941. Not used again until 1960, Finest arrows I ever used".

Tom, the needle-nock was an invention from Bill Folberth...........Hink

[shick]

Rabob, I read where Doug Easton had applied for a registered trademark for "swift"  in 1964.  Don't know how long before that they were made.
Shick

[Kelly]

Rabob;

During the 1960's the old green gamegetter was pretty popular for a hunting arrow, which was the anodized Swift arrow. Only those who could not afford the new GGG still bought the silver Swift and the 24SRT's were strictly used for target archery. I have a set of silver colored swift 1920's yet?

[shick]

Kelly, my first set of aluminums were the green anondized swift 1920s.  Still have one or two.
Shick

[oldbohntr]

Ray,
I have a lot of Swift 1920 shafts, but they are a pretty stiff spine.  Also, some 2020, 2018, and smaller diameters too, but I'd have to recheck exactly what they are....none are marked, so it's a good project for a winter evening.  I have quite a lot of 1818 point inserts, a very unusual size. So, if you know what spine you are looking for, let me know.

Hink, thanks for the reminder on the needle nock.  I got some stuff from Folberth's god-daughter many years ago.  That's probably where it came from.

Tom

[Swamp Yankee]

I'm thinking xx75 came out in the mid-sixties; swift and 24srts generally faded away after that.

[Wade Phillips]

Originally posted by oldbohntr:
... There was also an early aluminum arrow referred to as the "needle nock". I've had one sitting around for so many years that I've lost track of who made it -or if it could be the Pikula shaft!  Darn, it's hard getting older!

Tom -

The 1030's "Needle Nock" arrows were made by the well known bowmen & famous inventor & holder of many archery patents, William Folberth, also of Cleveland.

[Jon Stewart]

Dad shot tournament in the 50's and 60's starting out with 24SRTX and then went to the silver X-7. 1916 was his arrow of choice.

[oldbohntr]

Thanks to Wade and Hink....had forgotten that Folberth was the guy on the needle nocks.  

Ray, I have 50 1818 Swift shafts for you and maybe that many screw in inserts....have to dig up those inserts, but I had them last winter when I sorted all those old shafts. I had 1818 inserts in the original packaging for years and kinda kept looking for these odd size shafts but was told by a lot of guys that they'd never heard of an 1818. The 24 SRT-X was the first marked Easton shaft I've seen, so Swifts have to be mic'd and checked with an insert.  

Also have some 1814 Swifts...I think....they are 18s for sure, but I have no inserts that are known to be 1814s, and my mic's don't give the exact ID.  

Kelly, as you know, I was on a tear finding all the 1920s I could for quite a while...as usual I went overboard and ended up with way more than was planned.  I could pretty much supply a Crusade with 1920s!!!  However, I did learn that Easton made this shaft size in Swift, GG, and AO.  However, the AO are REALLY hard to find!!!

[Rick Enos]

I would love to see a pic. of the needle knock arrow....

[JavelinaHink]

Hi Rick, Here you go......Hink  :cool:  

[Rick Enos]

Thats great Hink..Good to here from you.Don't get on here as much as I used to.Rick...

[JavelinaHink]

Hey Rick.......no problem...if you have the time stop by the  Traditional Bowhunters Expo in Kalamazoo coming up on Jan.27-28-29 2012 I'll be setup right next to Lonnie Collins, stop by and sit a spell. It should be a great time there this year.....Hink

[Bud B.]

Can anyone refresh this thread with photos of the needle nock arrows?