Just got an old Ben Pearson 503-1. It appears in excellent shape, came with what appears to be oringinal string, pamphlet, and paper bowsock. I am 99 percent positive it belonged to RP65 at one time, gonna pm him and see.
My question is should I shoot this bow or not. I bought it to shoot. I plan on working it out to full draw using a tillering stick over about a week. I will pull it to a longer draw about a hundred times each day until I reach 28 inches.
What say ya'll?
Dustin - here is some information I've found on the Ben Pearsons marked as 503-1. Do you know which one you have? It might be fun to give it a try but be careful. It' looks like you're taking the right approach.
-Jay
Hickory Huntinhg Bows, 1955, No. 503-1, 5' 6"
Recurved tips
Weights 40, 45, and 50 lbs at 28 inches
Deep narrow handle with constrasting hardwood overlay
wide spatulate limbs, genuine leather grip
Molded plastic arrow rest, flexible varinsh finish
Lay-latex string
Price ?
Hickory Hunting Bow, 1953, No. 503-1, 5' 6", Weights 40 to 50 lbs
Recurved limbs
Price $ 12.50
Hickory Hunting bow, 1957, No. 503-1, 66 inches, 40,45,50 lb.
Recurve
Wide spatulate hickory limbs
Leather wrap handle, molded plastic rest
$ ?
Deerslayer, 1958, 503-1, 66 inches, 40,45,50 lb.
Static-Recurve limbs
hickory
Spiral wound leather straight handle, with sight window and arrow shelf
Hickory version of the collegian
$ ?
I don't know how to import pics but if you do a search in history and collecting for 503-1 it shows up under "1956 ben pearson". That's why I figured this one belonged to RP65 at one time.
Shot it today and it shot great. worked it out on the tillering stick over the last three days to 28in. Pulled it a hundred times each from 18 to 28 in increments of 2 inches. Nothing broke, flung em pretty hard and grouped well when I didn't flub up.
Thats cool.. I like hearing about older bows going back in to service..
Sounds like a lot of fun, enjoy your "new" bow.
-Jay
Got 140fps with easton 2016 29.5 in 125gr target tip. Seemed to like em. I'm gonna try a little different string and a little more tuning but I think that's about right. What should I expect?
Thanks for all the great knowledge you guys share without a bunch of Bravado.