50 Year old bows weight loss

[Collett5149]

I have a 1977 Kodiak Mag marked on riser and underneath the plate 50#. It scales @ only 45#.
Just bought a 1974 Kodiak Hunter same markings that scales @ 46#.
Is this loss of poundage normal?
Appreciate any feedback.

[Orion]

More likely an idiosyncrasy of marking the weight rather than an actual weight loss.  Usually the weight under the side plate is put there before the bow is finally finished out.  And, in a lot of cases the number recorded is to the nearest 5# increment from the actual weight. In the final product, it may be the same number, it may not be, but close enough for commercial work. 

A bow sitting on a rack for years shouldn't lose draw weight.  Of course, if the bow was left strung for years on end, it certainly could lose some weight, though a number of folks on this site say they leave their bows strung for years without any loss in draw weight.     

[Kelly]

What kind of scale are you using to measure the draw weight? If using one of those handheld scales where you grab it similar to a bow string then I dare say you are not drawing it 28", easily happens with those type bow scales to under draw them, hence the lesser bow weight.

[Orion]

Of course, Kelly may be correct as well.  You may not be using the scale correctly, or it may not be totally accurate.  My hand held scale is 2# off.

[Collett5149]

My scale reads exactly 50# when I lift a 50# bag of salt. Also double checked my draw length on my tiller pull fixture.

[Orion]

Then it's probably the way the bows were originally marked, combined with use over time. How the bows were stored can also have an effect.  Standing in a corner on one limb for years likely changes the orientation/weakens the lower limb a bit. Regardless, I'm inclined to go with my initially explanation. 

[trad_bowhunter1965]

who knows if Bear archery scale were calibrated? not to mention how far technology has come they did have that we have now,