I have a good friend who has his father-in-law's old bow, and he wants to shoot it. At first look, I thought it was a longbow, because it looks as straight as can be, with just a bit of curve at the ends, but when you bend it back, it has a definite "recurve" look to it. It is very short - I'm guessing somewhere around 50 inches long from the looks of it - and it is SOLID fiberglass.
There is no brand name or markings on it, but it is a thick, semi-transparent light green color.
It has a black rubber grip, and it is an ambidextrious bow - you can shoot on either side, as it has a shelf for either right or left hand shooters.
He has asked me to build a string for it, but I am really nervous about stringing it up because it looks so old. I don't see any cracks or stress lines in it.
Would you shoot it? I.E. - would you recommend to my friend that he put it on the wall as a display, or would you build him a string and show him how to shoot it since he seems so excited about it?
I offered up a Bear Kodiak Hunter to him... he still wants to shoot this one.
Suggestions welcome.
All the best,
Glenn
I say shoot it. Check out the fiberglas "kids" bows that 3 rivers has, sounds like one of Thiers. I have one in the garage right now I have to build a string for. Looks old, but really isn't. Pulls something like 25 or 30 pounds.
Well, I got it in my hands. I'm going to recommend that he doesn't shoot it. I went over it completely, and looking at the top nock, it has a little 1/4" split coming from the left side of the nock groove. I don't know how long the bow would last, but I don't want to be the one on the string side when it goes, and I really don't want it in his or his kids hands if it goes. Too bad. The rest of it looks fine.
Thanks everyone.
All the best,
Glenn