Date a Wing

59Alaskan · October 02, 2015, 06:21:00 AM

Big Jim has some phenomenal deals on used bows right now. I wanted to buy some other stuff anyway so I ended up getting this beauty. It's not here yet so I can get more pictures later.

I have never owned a Wing. I am looking forward to it. I don't know the serial number on it yet. It's obviously not micarta.

Specs
Thunderbird model
62"
48#
The limb and strikeplate only says "Wing Archery Company" there is no mention of AMF or Head Ski.

Any ideas on approximate year?

ksbowman · October 02, 2015, 09:14:00 AM

Looks like a later model after they started using Futurewood. I would guess it to be an AMF model, funny it isn't marked that way. Very nice looking bow though. If it shoots like my phenolic Thunderbirds you will like it.

Ryan Rothhaar · October 02, 2015, 06:07:00 PM

Track down Kelly Peterson, he's around here sometimes...I guarantee he'll know.

R

Kelly · October 02, 2015, 09:05:00 PM

Need to see the serial number and the limb decal. Never have seen a wingwood handled Wing that wasn't AMF.

59Alaskan · October 02, 2015, 10:29:00 PM

I appreciate the insight from all of you. The bow is on the way to me. This link has the only pictures I have now. One pic shows the limb decal

http://www.shop.bigjimsbowcompany.com/159L-Wing-Archery-Thunderbird-159L.htm

I don't know the serial #. When I receive the bow I will post more

mahantango · October 04, 2015, 10:19:00 AM

I would say early 70's AMF. I have a 54" Futurewood 50#er that I just love. If only I could get it back from my son...

Horney Toad · October 04, 2015, 10:31:00 PM

I like it, should be a nice bow. All wings I've had shoot good.

59Alaskan · October 05, 2015, 10:08:00 PM

All I have to say is "wow"!!! This bow shoots!
I ordered it Friday and it arrived today from Big Jim.

I really do like it. It has some crazing and surface "crackling" but wow does it launch an arrow.

Here are some more pictures. The serial # looks like TT-1004. It could also be 77-1004, hard to tell
No indication of AMF anywhere on the bow.

Kelly · October 07, 2015, 08:51:00 PM

Wow, first one I've seen like that. Serial number is T7-1004 and that Wing decal is from the graduation time of Wing Archery going to Head Ski, early 1967. Definitely a prototype handle wood as others from this time frame were black micarta/phenolic. That bow is one rare bird.

Kelly · October 07, 2015, 08:53:00 PM

And yes, those very first Thunderbirds were rocket launcher and were made on the 62" Red Wing Hunter form.

59Alaskan · October 08, 2015, 05:39:00 AM

That is just very cool history to know!! THANK YOU!
Now the age old question...do I refinish it to bring it back to life or leave it in it's original form?
Does anyone know of someone who sells reproduction decals for it? Could likely have some made I suppose.

It's a very cool looking bow and it really hammers an arrow. I love the length too. And now, I know it's a "rare bird" too boot LOL!

It's actually my first wing. I had been looking for a 62" Hunter and this bow just caught my eye with the patchy wood impregnation. I just got real lucky.

mangonboat · October 08, 2015, 02:07:00 PM

Nice Find! The Wing Thunderbirds all are nice shooters. The 52" model gained some shootability via the solid phenolic riser, but the 62" model, which I believe was only made in 1967 , is a great shooter with Phenolic or futurewood.

4runr · October 08, 2015, 08:58:00 PM

That's pretty cool Colin.

warpedarrow · October 09, 2015, 06:01:00 AM

Nice find. The question of refinishing or not isn't that hard to determine. You know what you paid for the bow, but ask around and see what fellows with similar interests would pay. If there isn't interest enough to make it valuable; pick a number, say $300 or so, then it probably isn't going to hurt the value much to refinish it. I have yet to regret refinishing one of mine.

The problem comes after you have it all prettied up and no longer wish to shoot it for fear of putting new scars on your new finish.

59Alaskan · October 10, 2015, 06:35:00 AM

I have concluded to have it refinished by an exceptionally gifted friend. I want to learn, but this is not one I am going to begin my bow refinishing career with! LOL

It really doesn't need much but it's such a cool bow. I just want to get the crackling finish off for the most part.

The collector value finished or unfinished doesn't matter to me right now. I want it to look great and I don't want to concern myself with moisture seeping through the cracks when I hunt it. My friend thinks it can all be done without affecting current decals.
And I guess if I ding it up after? My buddy eventually gets more work LOL.

Once again, I am astonished how this bow shoots