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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: solobowhunter on March 27, 2014, 07:20:00 PM

Title: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: solobowhunter on March 27, 2014, 07:20:00 PM
It's the Autumn Gray model.  It's marked 62" and 40#@28".  The problem is this bow is only 54 1/2" nock to nock.  Other than that, it looks to be in real good shape. I haven't strung it up yet.   I can't hazard a guess as to what the weight is now.  My question is-Do I have anything here or just a paper weight?
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: Archie on March 27, 2014, 07:34:00 PM
Yep.  Just a paper weight.  I'll PM you my address, and pay for shipping from your house to mine...
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on March 27, 2014, 07:54:00 PM
How does it shoot?
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: sore fingers on March 27, 2014, 07:58:00 PM
I have a feeling your about to get sent alot of addresses to send that "paper weight". Sounds like you might have a real nice longbow there. Just check it out real good and if it checks out set it up and shoot it. You can always call Black widow and tell them the serial number and they can tell you about it. How old and such. good luck.
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: solobowhunter on March 27, 2014, 08:26:00 PM
Really??? this thing has obviously been modified from its original specs.  I don't know even know who or why it was modified.  It's probably only gonna fit someone with a pretty short draw and I have a feeling it's going to be pretty heavy on the draw weight.
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on March 27, 2014, 09:06:00 PM
You are right, it is shorter than the marked length.  Maybe you can find someone with a bow scale to see what weight it is at 28 or if it would tolerate such a draw length.

At least this way you can stand back if it blows.
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: Brock on March 27, 2014, 09:27:00 PM
i wonder if they shortened the limbs to increase the weight....i would put on bow scale to find out.
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: KSdan on March 27, 2014, 09:38:00 PM
Something really strange. . . .????
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: dhermon85 on March 27, 2014, 11:14:00 PM
Let's see it...
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: sore fingers on March 28, 2014, 12:10:00 AM
Sorry bud, I guess I blocked out the N2N length. That is short! How do the tips look. Did they do a good job? Might be pretty darn stout. Got any pics?
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: JRY309 on March 28, 2014, 09:00:00 AM
I didn't think BW made a longbow shorter then 60",it sounds as if someone may have shortened the bow.Maybe it had tip damaged and was shortened?
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: tradhunter on March 28, 2014, 10:14:00 AM
Why wouldn't you just give the boys at Black Widow a call and see what they have to say?
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: Burnsie on March 28, 2014, 10:58:00 AM
We're talking about an 8" reduction in length here.  Taking 4" off the end of each limb would have you into a pretty wide meaty part of the limb.  That would then require re-tapering the whole profile of the limb,  unless you formed some new nocks on some big stubby ends.  Some pics would be interesting to see, how someone handled whacking that much length off?
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: AR RidgeRunner on March 28, 2014, 11:40:00 AM
If it was cut down from a 62" 40#@28" bow to a 54", I'm guessing it's probably going to be around 80#-85#@28" now.
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: Sixby on March 28, 2014, 12:46:00 PM
Kent, Unless the person was a bowyer that re-tapered the limbs and made the bow a deep core and the weight that they desired. I would speculate that someone closed a door on a limb tip or some such thing and either had to reconfigure the bow or throw it away. What would be interesting is to see the bow and find out what they did. I have done this even before I started building bows and turned out a good bow out of a broken bow. In fact I killed my first elk with a stickbow with that reworked Grizzly.

God bless, Steve
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: Matty on March 28, 2014, 05:41:00 PM
Very interesting.  I'd bet it's been modified. Pics would really help.
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: solobowhunter on March 28, 2014, 05:54:00 PM
I'll try and get some posted with closeups of the tips...standby..
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: solobowhunter on March 28, 2014, 06:58:00 PM
here's a couple of the bow itself
(http://i.imgur.com/45ptGeS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/IhQ0NST.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/zuGuTQy.jpg)
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: solobowhunter on March 28, 2014, 07:05:00 PM
here are the tips
(http://i.imgur.com/KZ76mRL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/me2ddLS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/xHLXKLm.jpg)
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: solobowhunter on March 28, 2014, 07:10:00 PM
Looks like I made a mistake.  The original specs were 40#@26" not 28".
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: riverrat 2 on March 28, 2014, 09:45:00 PM
That weight has got to be on the real high side when you get a string for it. Widows usually gain around 5 pounds per inch when drawn past whatever there built at. So this bow new 40@26 would be basically 45@27. But with that shortening job,that is a wild card. I am very curious as to what that bow would pull at 26" now. Plus,It gets even spookier when you think about how the limbs working angles will change from being shortened so much if someone is able to pull it to 26"es. It is interesting solobowhunter. Be careful with it.  rat'
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: quail on March 28, 2014, 10:05:00 PM
IMHO....someone other than BW modified those limb tips. I would put a string on it and see what she pulls.
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: karrow on March 28, 2014, 10:31:00 PM
oould he call black widow and give them the serial number. will they have any info on the bow
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: Archie on March 29, 2014, 02:03:00 AM
Widows don't normally gain 5 pounds per inch... They gain 5% per inch.   5 pounds per inch would be terrible!!
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: solobowhunter on March 29, 2014, 06:30:00 AM
I went ahead and strung it up.  I only draw 26 and it stacks pretty bad.  I could only manage 24 or 25.  It's a shame someone would do this to a bow.  Anyone out there with around a 22 or 23 inch draw??
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: Wheels2 on March 29, 2014, 06:53:00 AM
I have to wonder if they broke off a limb tip and tried to save the bow buy shortening both limbs.
Watch those car doors...
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: Wheels2 on March 29, 2014, 06:55:00 AM
I would at least call Black Widow and ask them about the bow.  Can they put new limbs on the bow?  I would at least ask before I gave up on it.
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: olddogrib on March 29, 2014, 07:09:00 AM
You stated you were given the bow, so I hope the giver was aware of the mods and explained what's been done for your safety.
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: on March 29, 2014, 07:16:00 AM
Don't hurt yourself!
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: Zbone on March 29, 2014, 07:16:00 AM
Mike - "Anyone out there with around a 22 or 23 inch draw??"

I have grandkids coming up, how much ya want for it?
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: Robertfishes on March 29, 2014, 07:24:00 AM
No need to call Black Widow..your bow was made June of 1999, its a LAG longbow that was 62" long until it was modified. You may be able to narrow the limbs a little and retiller it. the riser length cannot be changed so you will still have limbs with a short working area. I would redo the tips too. It could be a fun weekend project for you.
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: solobowhunter on March 29, 2014, 07:29:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Wheels2:
I would at least call Black Widow and ask them about the bow.  Can they put new limbs on the bow?  I would at least ask before I gave up on it.
I think I'll contact them. Thanks.
Title: Re: So I was given a Black Widow longbow....but...
Post by: riverrat 2 on March 29, 2014, 09:40:00 AM
Archie,just scaled my PL. It is 66" 48@28. When drawn to 28"es = 48#s on the mark. When pulled to 29"es = 52#s. Check yours and see what you get. rat'