I bought a new one somewhere, I’m gonna say in the mid 90’s. I loved the bow, but eventually sold it like I have many others over the years when the weight got too much for me to handle.

Thanks for the correction Tradlongbow, not sure why I remembered his name as 'Jim', lol. I recall Dan came to a local shoot some years back, he bested Jacques Bonin by a single point in the final shoot-off...but then Jacques was shooting a Widow recurve that day. Dan was a good guy and one heck of a shot, he knew a few things about bows, thus the reason he generally shot a 21st Century I guess.

I didn't realize that you sold J&B bows back in the day...obviously you knew your bows very well, too. Sweet shooters for sure.

I remember when Jim McMahon won the Eagle Eye with his J&B 21st Century, besting even compound shooters from 70 yards or so. I always chuckle at that. McMahon could shoot, and so could those bows. The 21st Century slim-risered versions of J&B were essentially a breakthrough in longbow design, incorporating superior smoothness and performance without sacrificing material or conceptual simplicity. Truly an outstanding bow design. There have been copies and they are good, but I think the J&B originals were as they say the 'real deal'. Great bows.

No Sir. I kind of lost touch with Milton about ten years ago when I quit going to tournaments. Trying to find Milton when I ran across this thread. I had forgot that his building burned. Milton was an accountant in the Houston area best I remember, before he bought out Jim. He might of gone back into that.

@Tom, That was definitely Keith and Edith. They are good people and fun to shoot with.

Paul, Have you heard from Milton? I haven’t heard from him sin his shop burned down.

I seem to remember a man and wife team from Texas I think who won a lot of trad shoots using those bows. They seemed to drop off the radar. I believe he was written up in one of the trad magazines.

Fun hunt by the way. Flushed 11 birds that day and we came back with 9.

The bow in the pic I'm holding is one of the first bows Milton built on his own. Its still The first one I grab when I go hunting. It has been very reliable over the years.

Always wanted one but never got one.

The Nova was my favorite bow ever. I wish I could know how many times I shot that bow. One day I was at the NFAA range and on the fifth target thinking I can't shoot any better than this, I ought to just go home. It was one of those rare days when I just started out shooting perfectly. When I pulled back the glass came off the belly of the bow. It's been quite a few years ago but it still just about makes me cry. I bought another used Nova but it was quite a bit different having been built on a different form.

Jim, I sold 21st C for about 10 years. That grip on your bow is a Buddy grip. That was Buddy Stemplers favorite grip.

Here's mine.

I've seen the Impala and understand it's based on a 21st century that a fellow I sometimes shoot with sold to the bowyer. Have heard good things but will probably just stick with what I have, I like the lines of the originals.

Fistmele, If your in the market to buy a new longbow, take a look at the JavaMan Impala Longbow. Gregg Coffey has done a phenomenal job with the design. He has refined everything from the grip design to the limb performance.

I've had a number of them and IMO they are the best of the non-ILF hybrid LB designs. Very smooth and fast. I still have two, one (I was told) was made by Callaway for his personal use. They are not fancy in workmanship or finish compared to other brands, but if I ever decide to shoot only one longbow a 21st Century will probably be my choice.

The one that I shot was built by Jim and Buddy and was one of the fastest and smoothest Longbows I’ve ever shot.

I shot one of the orginal owners made bows. I was ready to buy it from my fellow club member but he sent it off for a weight reduction. It was 65#@28 which in those days was an easy pull for me. I liked the way it shot and the slim grip it had.

I have never owned or shot a 21st but i own and have shot copies. They are good shooting bows.