Original Relayer

[sjb]

Hello! Just signed up and first time posting here. Just purchased a original Relayer with what looks like a cherry wood stock.Everything works, cocking mechanism, trigger ,safety (safety comes on when it's cocked), all metal parts including the rail are in excellent shape.Stock shows signs of wear and a slight hairline crack near pistol grip.Black limbs seem rough, not finished very well ,but useable.Guy who sold this to me said it is a collector's item.I told him I was buying it to shoot.It looks great, handles and balances beautifully, sights line up perfectly when I shoulder it.Has really nice site pins and a receiver site.The guy gave me 2 extra limbs to use rather then use the original.Both are made by Astro Daco of Canada,one is for a Scorpion 150 lb. and the other is for a Hornet 120lb.The Scorpion limb looks like it will work but not the Hornet.I have a scoped Excalibur Ibex but always wanted a wooden stocked crossbow with open sights.Question is-should I use this or does it have genuine value as a collectors item ?If it does I don't want to ruin it and would rather sell it to someone who places more value on it.Also, would it be safe to shoot? I have to admit I haven't figured out how to cock it yet, can't use my rope cocking device, maybe I need to join a gym. Anyways I took a chance and paid $120 for everything.Thanks for listening and I hope someone has info on this.

[Boo]

It belongs on the wall. There's very little, if any, that can be repaired on your bow. Being that they stopped making them a very, very long time ago, there are zero parts available, including limbs. Those limbs liked to splinter so bad that guys often taped the full length with electrical tape!
A crack in the wrist of the stock is absolutely not good.
Unless you want to butcher a groove in the stock for the rope cocker, it will be hand cocked. If you can't cock it by hand and your not way over 60 yrs old, you should go to the gym for health reasons! LOL!
I've had several and sold them as better ones came to me and it ain't never getting cocked!
Hang it up where it belongs.
BTW, if all the limbs are not splintered, you'll get more than $120.00 for it.

[sjb]

Thank you for that reply. Yeah, I'm a 65 yr. old out of shape school bus driver, so I think I'll pass on trying to cock it. What a shame though, this balances so nice and the sights are perfect.

[Tom]

Sbj, there was only 300 "orginal" Relayers made. They are a collectors item.

I have one and still shoot it, it is actually my hunting bow. These bows were produced before any cocking devices ere deemed needed. If you learn the proper technique it is not that difficult to hand cock.

The limbs for these bows, as well as the limbs for the Astro Daco were all made by Astro Daco. Yes the Orginal Relayer limb was the same limb as the Astro Daco Scorpion (150lb).

I have seen bare limbs sell from $80 -$150.

The value of these bows all depends on the limbs. If you break a limb, the bow has basicly has no value.

Your statement that the safety came on when it was cocked, well I don't ever remember a Relayer having that option. I know that the next model, the "Wolverine" I believe had an auto safety, but that model was the first model to sport the first split limb design.

Tom

[sjb]

Thanks for the information.No where on this XB does it say "Relayer "-it says Handcrafted in Canada by Excalibur.The guy that sold it to me said it's a Relayer.The safety comes on when I cock it (using a screwdriver) but the limb is one piece, not split.The Scorpion limb is the same length and fits. Anyways I think I'm going to sell it and the limbs on e-bay as I'm not a collector.Would it be okay to put it on e-bay but announce on this forum that it's there? I'm not sure what the rules are on that. Too bad there not making this exact model now with modern limbs! P.S.- submitted6/27/17- I was wrong-it says" Relayer" right in the middle of the "Handcrafted in Canada" label-couldn't see the forest etc.

[Tom]

If you could post a picture here it would be nice.

The woverine was the next model. It was basicly the Relayer but had the newer split limbs and riser. It just has to have the end machined out to fit the new riser.

The limbs from Astro Daco were not like the limbs from Excalibur. These limbs were what dictated what the poundage of the bow would be. I have seen limbs anywhere from 140 - 200 lb for the Scropion.

Tom

[Carnivorous]

The below bow is posted over on CGN in the hunting equipment section. I don't know the seller but seems like a low cost cool collectors item...


Crossbow; Classic Canadian Daco Hornet 120 lb. -- $90.00
Made in Newmarket Ontario in the 1980's. I have had this since new, shot target with it for the first couple of months, but never hunted with it.

$90.00 or best offer! Don't need it and don't have the room.

No Bolts (they got lost in a move).

[wheelie]

Look like my Daco Hornet

[wheelie]

Sbj, there was only 300 "orginal" Relayers made. They are a collectors item.

I have one and still shoot it, it is actually my hunting bow. These bows were produced before any cocking devices ere deemed needed. If you learn the proper technique it is not that difficult to hand cock.

The limbs for these bows, as well as the limbs for the Astro Daco were all made by Astro Daco. Yes the Orginal Relayer limb was the same limb as the Astro Daco Scorpion (150lb).

I have seen bare limbs sell from $80 -$150.

The value of these bows all depends on the limbs. If you break a limb, the bow has basicly has no value.

Your statement that the safety came on when it was cocked, well I don't ever remember a Relayer having that option. I know that the next model, the "Wolverine" I believe had an auto safety, but that model was the first model to sport the first split limb design.

Tom

I do have a relayer with wooden stock and metal along just the top of the rail. It does have an automatic saftey and Daco 150 pound limbs. Bill T told me it is the rarest of them all as he only made 60 of them and Daco went bankrupt and closed. That when Excalibur started making their own split limbs which were named Wolverine. CHEERS!

[agingcrossbower]

I have a Relayer. Says that it is a 150 pound. Keeping it as a collectors item.

[sjb]

No ,it looks quite different then the Hornet. I'm going to put this up on e-bay for auction ,with a ton of good pictures ,so people can judge what it is.I have no idea what it's worth and can't set a price on it. If it is a collector's item then it deserves to be in a collection not my basement.I'll post a notice on here when I do. Is there any company currently making a modern materials, wooden stocked, open sites crossbow similar to this ? I'd still like to have one to use.

[wheelie]

Think I paid $70. for my 1 out of 60 made Relayer. Original Relayers had a wooden flight deck. So I don't think they are worth millions especially if it is not in mint condition.

[wheelie]

I have a Relayer. Says that it is a 150 pound. Keeping it as a collectors item.

I got way to much hunting and target stuff. May sell a bunch and simplify my life.

[sjb]

OK, I did it .It's up on e-bay, think I posted some good pictures but if there is a particular shot anyone wants let me know.I'm just hoping to break even on this.Paid $120.00, set min. price at $60. Thanks and will post on Trading Post.