Just recieved a beautiful 1969 Bear Grizzly 56" and 50# @ 28". However USPS apparently damaged the top limb in shipping. Box was smashed too. I reeeeally like this bow and can't even shoot it. Anybody know if this limb can be repaired or is it just going to be wall candy from now on? Any thoughts are appreciated.

Not sure how we can respond to something we can't see. Lots of damage can be repaired, but if not....then to to the Post office about the damage.

Pictures

Insured?

So sorry. Insane day at work! See pics

It doesn't look good to me.

it's done... IMO

I would say the toast is burnt, a lot of flexing in that area. Hope it was insured!

might make kindling

That is a shame. It's probably done for, but I would try to fix it. It looks like the belly glass was cracked but not the rest of the limb. This is exactly why I ship bows in a heavy carboard carpet tube from Menards.

If you ship with lots of insurance on it they are usually pretty carefull with stuff! At least that's my experience. Gets there faster too!

I don't know how you could break the glass without damaging the core on that pic.

give it back to the post office its the senders resposibility. if you were present when they dilivered, you should not accept it damaged. something like it happend to me on a bow i shipped ron

Thanks for the feedback. It was insured to cover bow cost, but so far I've only submitted the claim and it all has to be done over the Internet which is insane. Cant get anyone on the phone at USPS, they just swapped me to the next guy on hold for forever. Post office said they can't do a thing over $25 from here. We'll see how it goes. Even had to scan receipt, email pics of damage and proof of value.

Does anyone know a good guy for repairs on older Bear bows?

If the box was visibly damaged, it is the PO responsibility, not the sender's. It is up to the sender to apply for the loss if insurance was bought for the item. If you didn't ask to have it insured, there may be an issue for sure. I hope you took photos of the damaged shipping box, that will help. If you got it on Ebay, they will help with any discrepancies.

Bought from a nice guy in Florida that I've bought from in the past. He insured it for what I paid for it and emailed me a copy of receipt when i called him to ask about it. I sent it in with claim as well as pics. Hope I get the insurance claim but more worried about repair if even possible! Been wanting a 56". Very frustrating for sure.

You won't be fixing that! Good way to put your eye out!

If its just the belly glass you can put a belly overlay over it

That's what I was thinking. I have done that on an old 50's bow and it's still holding up.

an overlay will make it shootable but will also reduce the flex in the outer limb. if the change is significant it would need to be matched on the opposite limb, should be matched anyway. i would romove most of the glass from the tip to the break and feather it out for a few inches, match that tapering in some new glass and epoxy it on. this way a very thin overlay could do the job without changing the working recurve too much hopefully. I havent tackled that before but thats what I would try. hard to imagine how that could have happened, sorry to hear it did. good luck.

man that is infuriating to see! Total incompetence! You would really have to try hard to break a bow like that. Truly hope USPS makes good. That is just utter neglegence!!!

Well, I did string it with no problem! Sure looks good.

You strung it cracked? I wouldn't shoot it like that.The new overlays of course would need to match on both limbs.If insurance pays and let's you keep it for salvage go for it.

Not going to shoot it or even draw it. Don't think it's in the wood, just the glass though.

Its done for. Horizontal breaks have no hope.

If it's just the glass and not the core wood, try to fix it. In retrospect, I've seen worst and got it to work. I fixed a recurve where the string nock was stripped back toward me when I drew the arrow back. Just the nock came back, like it was cut off, connected to the belly glass, the string loop had pulled into the belly glass. I shot ultra thin set super glue into the limb, and clamped it all together for 24 hours. It has held to gether so far, although the first time I used it it was a little scary, so I wore a welding mask.

IMO it can be fixed as long as the wood core isn't violated. The break is on the compression side which I believe makes it repairable.

Sounds encouraging for sure. Thanks,

Anything can be fixed --- just depends on the trouble you want to go to in order to acomplish the task. Everbody and their dog glues up bows these days. Hey ! ...one of you bowbuilders (laminated) help this guy out -- create some overlay for the non- working part of this bow's recurve upper limb portion that is damaged. It can be done . happy huntin.

Loctite 420...? Thunderbird 2 part epoxy...? Look for another 56" Griz on ebay....?

Good Luck! :-)

CR

I would try to fix it. Loctite or comparable and underlays. Might want to put underlays on both limbs for balance/asthetics.

I certainly hope to.

I don't think you can salvage that bow, from the damage I see. More than likely the wood core is stressed. You could always strip the riser and re-limb the bow, but the cost would probably be more than the value of the bow. I got a fantastic idea, saw the limbs off at the end of the fades and send it to me, I already have that form and could build my wife a nice bow for cheap.

James

I'd sue USPS for $200.00 damage and $2.000,000.00 anguish and suffering.

Pain and anguish for sure!!

I don't think you should string it. Might as well try overlays like others said. Won't shoot like a grizzly but it would be a static recurve

I would put a thin wood or micarta overlay well an underlay really of something flexable over it but I would repair that crack first bd

IF the seller cannot file a claim for the damage and refund your money...the bow can be repaired and be shootable-durable..but it won't be 'stock'...

LokTite in the broken belly glass after cleaning and stripping old finish on that section.. Then a thin .030" piece of clear fiberglas feathered out over that break..Do the other limb end exactly like it with that underlay of fiberglas..Refinish..Jim

Dire Wolf is spot-on correct --- it ain't rocket science. happy huntin.

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