I just acquired a Herter's recurve bow. I can post a photo later but the best way I can describe it is a 1950's style.
I've never seen this model before with a small 1950's style riser and narrow limbs, leather grip,etc. The shelf is unusual,instead of being flat or radiused it comes to a peak in the middle.
Any ideas?
Thanks.

Any serial # ?

Serial #
20559952

Reportedly, the 3rd, 4th, and 5th numbers give the month and year it was made-in this case May 1959.  I'm not sure how accurate that info is.

That's usually correct what Selfbow said. 05 would stand for the month and 59 for the year. Then the length of the bow is usually the front two #s, but on this case I'm not sure cuz there's only one left. The last #s which in this case 952 is usually the # of that particular bow they had produced for the year. Which that seems kinda high.

What's the AMO length and #s?

Awesome, that's close enough for me. Any idea on which model it is?
Thanks for the help guys!

Nope can't help you much there. I'll leave that for someone else to try and answer. That's older than all the ones I have or had.

Bryan,

I read that Herters used 2 different serial number systems-in the one, the first 2 numbers were the length, in the other it wasn't.  Guess this one isn't-20" is a pretty short bow!!

James,

You might try looking around for a copy of the 1959 Herter's catalog.  Used to, nearly every home with sportsmen had Herter's catalogs.

Ya that one's a stumper for sure.

Can't tell you anything you don't already know. I don't think herter's ever used amo lengths.

60", 49#

Nut,  I had one like that a few years back.  I believe it is the Olympic Official Mark II.  It should have Jet-Black farbenglas facing, and a Desert-sand farbenglas backing (probably looks like woven butterscotch glass due to age.  No.1 birdseye maple handle.  Leather covered grip.  Full center shot high window design.  Was $ 22.50 new.

Mine was a nice shooter but believe it was 62 1/2"