Broken bow

[Yippeekiay]

Just had a vintage York Crest snap on me at full draw. No warning or anything... Now all the questions start up.

1)Was it just because of its age? (Probably?)
2)Did my 29 1/2" draw have something to do with it? (Doubtful?)
3)Is it possible that shooting three under on a bow tillered for split-finger put too much stress on the lower limb? ($20 question..)
4)A combination of all three?

#3 is the one that I'm really wondering about.
If pics would help figure this out I'll be glad to oblige. And if anyone could chime in I'd sure appreciate it.

Thanks!
Paul

[macbow]

I'd guess it has a lot to do with age.
The older bows were put together with glues that sometimes fail.
You also don't know how the bow was stored it whole life. Was it ever in a hot car.
Doubt if the 3 under was criticle.

[Bjorn]

Sorry about your bow.  Bows can fail regardless of age-even brand new. I'd say number 3 is a definite 'no'.

[Yippeekiay]

It's good to know that technique didn't cause it. It still stinks though. It was really a nice bow.

Guess I'll just have to get another one... Darn it!    

[LittleBen]

This is not what I wanna hear. I own two vintage yorks ... both thunderbolts at around 50#. Never heard of them being prone to failure. Maybe that one was just not treated well in earlier years.

[Yippeekiay]

Honestly I had never heard of them, even with my limited experience. Only reason I bought it was my cousin has the exact same one, except his is right-handed.
There weren't any stress cracks and the limbs "were" nice and straight. The hot car theory has some good merit. Maybe just a really dry climate.  Now,I may be a glutton for punishment here but I'd probably buy another one if the price was right. Gotta do something, I just bought a dozen carbons for it.

[r-man]

my herters cv17 blew saturday, at release, broke at the string notch.  45yrs of service, I will miss her.

[JEFF B]

sorry for your loss i have had a few bust not a nice feeling when the bow was a gift. as mine were     :(

[Yippeekiay]

Not to make too much lite if the subject but...
Should we start a memorial thread or something?