Not sure if this is the right forum, but hopefully someone here will be able to help. I was recently given an old 58", 45#, 28" draw length signal recurve. The bow is in beautiful shape but has no string. I haven't shot a recurve in 15 years, so I figured this would be a good opportunity to get back into traditional archery. Am I correct in thinking that I should look for a 54" dacron string? Now for my original question, does anybody have any idea what the original brace height range was for these bows? I realize I will need to fine tune it for stretch, noise, etc, I'm just looking for a good starting point. Unfortunately, I don't have any traditional shops anywhere near me so I'll have to order everything I need online. Any help you guys can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Dan

I believe sting length is 3" shorter than the length of the bow to start, I may be wrong though. it may be 2.. or that might be for a longbow. and for brace height 8" or so to start and twist up from there. youtube the black widow videos they give a lot of great instructions.

Per 3Rivers - "If you don't know the length of your bow string a good rule of thumb is that longbow will take a string 3" shorter than they are marked and a recurve takes a 4" shorter bow string."

I believe Ben Pearson made the Signal which is the same as their Cougar, and the Signal brand was for a large retailer.

For a dacron flemish string, I choose one 4" shorter since they tend to stretch a bit more than endless strings.  Of course, brace heights are a personal thing depending on your shooting technique, arrow flight, and how quiet you can make it.  

I would start with a brace of 7.5" and twist up until it suits you.  My guess is the bow will be best around 8".

Good luck...

Thanks for the information guys, I appreciate it. The first bow I learned to shoot was my dad's old 45# Ben Pearson Raider(pretty sure that was the model). As far as I know he still has it shoots it occasionally. I have a lot of fond memories of heading out to our back field, recurve in hand for the weekly "Budweiser Shoot-off."