Sights for old target bow

[Pinelander]

Please take a look at linked photo. Looks like someone tapped holes located above plunger (completely through the thin plate). Have no idea what type of sight was previously mounted on this old Wilson Bros. BW 1225. As you can see, the hole configuraton is not in-line vertical and it looks like an additional tapped hole is needed to accept an Accra type mount that would accept an aperture. All I want to do is get an aperture ring sticking out there in front of the riser.
Black Widow sight window (http://images.andale.com/f2/117/110/7969164/1112405544188_bows_20___Lit_013.jpg)
:help:

[Spike]

Dave, one way is to build an adapter plate of say steel or alum. Mark and drill the same riser hole pattern into the plate then, mark and drill the normal sight holes. If the material is relatively thin, you can countersink the holes on the inside and reverse the sight screws with nuts on the outside. If the material is thick then you just tap the holes for the normal setup. This approach will leave the bow riser and sight mount both unaltered, and no chance of being damaged.

[WildmanSC]

Dave,

How about a pic of the opposite side of the riser where the sight will mount?

Bill

[Bob Gordon]

Piney...I would do what Spike said, make a aluminum adapter plate for the other side of the window to fit the present screw pattern, then drill and tap it for the regular AMO standard pattern (two holes) and mount the aluminum dovetail thingee that will accept most modern target sights and then start shooting your nocks off....warf

[Scooter]

Oh Oh doesn't look good. You better dump that thing fast. I'll give you $50.00 for it. :D

Seroiusly now, I agree with what Bob and spike said.

[Pinelander]

Other side of sight window...

3 itty bitty threaded holes (http://images.andale.com/f2/117/110/7969164/1109085754698_bows_20___Lit_011.jpg)

I don't have the stuff to do the work on a new plate,
but I bet that DAS Kinetic guy does. :)

[WildmanSC]

I certainly don't understand that hole pattern. BW must have had accessories that they sold that were designed specifically for that hole pattern. In all likelihood, nobody else built accessories to fit, so they had a corner on the market. The bow may well have predated AMO standards being developed. If not, I don't think I understand why they did it, other than increased $$ flow for their own accessories.

Bill

[Viper]

Piney -

I'm sure there was a sight with that configuration, somewhere, but I've never seen it. In the 60s/70's a lot of guys did their own work, and that could have been a home made mount.

BTW - Have the same riser, BW 1300, 70" limbs, #35. Slow as molasses, but lobs em right in! Sorry, mine only has the two requisite holes. Mine doesn't have the cushion plunger bushing :( , though.

Viper out.

[WildmanSC]

Viper,

What you waiting for? I'm sure you can jury rig a plunger hole somehow or the other! :) :highfive: :shooting:

Bill

[Viper]

Wildman -

I kow you were kidding, but for any of you guys besides Piney nad me, who have those old Widows: There was a history of riser failure, usually below the main stab insert. Not a big history, but a history. So, with this particular bow, I'm not too quick to take a drill to it. Actaully with most of my older bows, I'm not to keen on making any new holes in :) .

Besides, I've got an old Hoyt Pro rest, on it, not tuneable by itself, but does have a nice little cushion effect.

Viper out.

[Darryl Longbow]

I believe that is the pattern for a 1973 Jennings compound product. They made a few sight brackets with that pattern claiming it was much stronger than the basic two hole pattern. It was made to accept the old Killian Check it sight bar. I think I still have one somewhere in my junk parts box, will look tomorrow. I had it mounted on the same style Black Widow you have in the picture and as others have said they had a problem with breaking. Mine broke through the center of the handle while at full draw. Got a good wack on the head but no real damage. Bought a Bear takedown right after that and still have and shoot it (also 35lbs). If I can find that bracket I will let you know and you are welcome to it.

[DAS]

Piney,
If you can send me a pattern with the hole locations and the type of mounts you want, I can help you out. If you just want AMO standard holes that's easy. If you have a particular mount like the dovetail Bob was talking about, I'll need the mount to get it right. PM me!

[Pinelander]

Darryl - first things first, welcome to TradTalk! :)

Holy smokes, you just jump-started my recall. You're absolutely right, whoever had that bow was using a Killian! Wasn't but a week ago (before I bought the BW) that I saw a Killian Check-It on eBay, but didn't buy it 'cause it had the 3-hole mounting config. And I suppose the regular Check-It that I just got won't fit that dovetail. Here it WAS... for a measly 20 bucks. :mad: ... yes, I'd be interested in that mount if ya find it.

Killian on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7140981527&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT)

DAS... for the time-being I'm probably gonna slobber all over eBay until I find another Killian for sale. But yes, I may need your help in getting an adaptor plate made to accept a Check-It dovetail mount. Bow will be here early next week.

So Viper (and Darryl too) - what's your take on the shooting characteristics of this bow? I love my Warfer, but don't think I'll ever get away from trying out different bows... can't seem to get off the wagon. :rolleyes:

Here's a pic of the whole bow....

Wison Bros. BW 1225-W (http://images.andale.com/f2/117/110/7969164/1108366701451_bows_20___Lit_009.jpg)

I must admit, even though not hearing about the breakage history... was looking at the riser and glad that it only has 31 @ 28 limbs. But it's also the W model (designed for women archers) and has me a bit concerned about drawing it 29". I was told by someone over on the Widow Wall, quoting from a '73 catalog...

"Model 1225-W is the same as the 1225 except the handle section is slightly smaller in all dimensions and the complete bow is approximately one pound lighter in physical weight.It is designed especally for women and is available in 65"and 67"limbs.For draw lengths up to 27"we recommend the 65" and for draw lengths 27" to 28" the 67".Because the 1225-W is designed to give peak preformance at shorter draw lengths than it's big brother the 1225,it's also preferred by many men with draw lengths of less than 28" Lengths:65"and 67"draw weights 25 to 50lbs Available: left or right hand Physical weight:a little over 3 pounds String height:65" 9"to10" 67"9 1/4to10 1/4 Handle colors:Ivory,red or black

[DAS]

Piney,
After looking at that photo, I strongly second Viper's comments about not drilling holes in that riser. You'd be begging for a stress failure!

[Pinelander]

Ya think? Take a look at the very first picture I posted on this thread. That thin plate with the 3-holes doesn't seem to be where the "weakest link" is located. I think if she's gonna snap, it's gonna be somewhere in the handle area like Darryl and Viper mentioned. Probably below the handle near the lower limb butt. Regardless of structural integrity, I don't plan on drilling any MORE holes than are in it already. That's why that Killian would have been perfect or an adapter plate that fits the existig holes would work ok I think.

I guess only use and abuse will tell... I'll be gentle with her... to the tune of about 400 arrows a week. At the very worse, if failure occurs... you'll get me into one those WarfWings sooner or later. ;)

[Viper]

Piney -

I have a few Check-its at home, ad they all have the requisite 2 hole pattern. Not sure about that 3 hole thingy :help: .

My BW 1300, has the sight holes in the "back" arm. Would have preferred then in the side plate.

As I said. the bow is very heavy in the hand, and so very stable. At 20 yds it was almost boring to shoot with the sight. Just really surprised at the speed, #35@28", prob about #37/#38 at my draw, with 1816's. Think around 160+ fps. really put the arch in archery. Guess I got spoiled by the old (and new) Hoyts.

Viper out.

[WildmanSC]

Dave,

Check out the following thread:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20845&item=7142685066&rd=1

The second pic has a base that appears to have the same exact bolt pattern as the one on your bow. You have to look close to see it, but it is there. You are viewing it with light from a window as background. There's a knob is the center of the pic and behind it is a black base. Below the base is the hole equivalent to the bottom screw hole on your bow's riser, and if you look within the knob you will see two holes that are, I believe, equivalent to the two top holes on your riser. See what you think.

Viper,

Maybe you can check it out and see if that is what you remember for the Killian Chek-it sight.

Bill

[Pinelander]

Yea Bill, that would be it. Too bad it closes this afternoon when I'm at work. No big deal though... it's gonna close higher than what I want to pay for it anyway. Too many bidders, will probably go well over 40 bucks.

[Viper]

Bill -

The sights I have are Chek-it #1B18 (if it still in the right box, been a while) , by the Ckek-It company. They don't say Killian on them, so we may be talking two different things, as these have the standard 2 hole mounts.

Viper out.

[Pinelander]

I see this on eBay... but it doesn't come with the mount. :rolleyes:

Another Killian sight (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=20845&item=7144216287&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW)

By looking closely at the photos, the bar looks the same as my Check-It and so does the config. where bar attaches to main body. Actually, the only main diff. I see between the Killian & regular Chek-It is the dovetail mount (2 or 3-holes) and some changes in the body gadgets through the years. I wonder... did Steve Gibbs and his Sure-Loc put these guys out of business in the late 80's?

I wonder if Darryl found that old Killian layin' around.

[Pinelander]

Well, for the time-being I mounted an Accra-type slotted plate w/aperture. Sure does chug 'em in there real nice. Added a Hoyt-Easton 36" stab and ordered a new RED dacron string from Robert that should be here anyday now, have to be color-coordinated ya know. Will have to put it away for awhile though... until season turkey season comes to a close.