Browning Explorer II

hessian · December 06, 2019, 03:38:19 PM

Good afternoon everyone,
Today I scored a very nice Browning Explorer II for $30, really couldn't pass it up! It needs a string, I can't wait to get one so I can get some arrows through it. Where can I find info on the age of bow? SN#3D199 and estimate on brace height? Thanks in advance guys!

Adam

Blackhawk · December 06, 2019, 04:19:46 PM

1973

Start near 7.5" and twist up to find the "spot" which will probably be close to 8".

...and very nice bows that shoot as well as they look.

hessian · December 06, 2019, 04:47:57 PM

Thank you sir!

ksbowman · December 06, 2019, 07:26:27 PM

Mine was a little over 8". Very nice shooting bow and you got a heck of a buy!

Gerald Denley · December 08, 2019, 10:54:46 AM

It is a 1973. I hunted with the same bow one year. You need to really fine tune the brace height or it will be loud. It was pretty quick and stable with a skinny low stretch string[attachment=1]

doubleo · December 10, 2019, 02:09:33 PM

Those Explorers were my favorite in the Browning line. Good luck with it!

hessian · December 10, 2019, 02:36:49 PM

Thanks for all the replies everyone! I'll post some pics of it when I get home tonight.

ron w · December 10, 2019, 03:22:50 PM

I also have a 73' just a beautiful bow, great shooter. Really quick for 45 pounds !!

hessian · December 11, 2019, 08:47:35 AM

Here some pics of my new to me Explorer. Can't wait to get a string on it and send some arrows down range![attachment=1][attachment=2][attachment=3][attachment=4]

Captain*Kirk · December 11, 2019, 10:39:13 AM

That's a real looker, Adam! Great score on that one!

doubleo · December 11, 2019, 11:17:56 AM

Im not an expert here but that looks more like a model from 63. I think they changed the riser shape in about 66. Correct me if im wrong. Anyways that is a sweet looking bow and a heck of a find.

durp · December 11, 2019, 11:30:48 AM

im thinking 63 also...either way its a great find

hessian · December 11, 2019, 12:00:39 PM

Thanks everyone, the pics don't do the riser justice. The grains in the wood are really nice.

Petrichor · December 14, 2019, 12:53:03 PM

Stunning

Stumpkiller · December 14, 2019, 10:22:29 PM

That is an outstanding price! I have a Pre I or II Explorer (62") and it is probably my favorite bow. Just as sweet and quiet as can be.

Gerald Denley · December 19, 2019, 01:51:57 AM

That is a 1963 model...some of the first made and they looked more like the Safari. I have one as well that is 56#. It really performs with a string made from Rampage.[attachment=1]

Gerald Denley · December 19, 2019, 02:02:59 AM

Close-up of the riser.

If you look at the picture of Adam's bow you will see the limb laminations were made with Gordon's Bo-Kore. The dark line between them is a piece of fibreglass scrim that helped with glue up, stability and consistency. You will see that product on lots of early Brownings as they were made in the former Gordon factory.

[attachment=1]

hessian · December 19, 2019, 07:12:13 AM

Gerald, thanks for the additional information! Yours is beautiful. Thanks to all who chimed in as well.

Babbling Bob · December 23, 2019, 09:10:03 AM

Wow, what a beautiful bow Adam. Always wanted one of those long ago as they were great shooters. Great find!