I got this longbow today on trade, its 70" 57@28 wanted some opinions of a string that would bring life back to her. I intend to hunt with her . She aint pretty .

Show the tips. Inlays or overlays?

Just sold a '65 Herters recurve that had 2 layers of glass overlays. I had a BCY-X string on it.

here was waiting for it to load

please excuse terminology .

Looks nice from what I can see. Your bow was built in July of 1975 and was #015, in case you are wondering. I've been looking for a Herter's LB myself. Lucky you, have fun. My 1976 catalog says that the recommended brace height is 9-9-3/4" measured to the " back" of the bow. Wts., available were from 40# to 80#. Original cost was $53.49! Lance.

Oh and BTW, in answer to your original question the answer is Yes! Lance.

I wonder if that's an original tip, or if someone broke a tip and shortened the bow...I think of Herter's tips as looking more like this.

that was my thought,yet its 70" on the button. as marked. my cv-17recurve had tips like you posted

$53.49, Oh My I would like 10 please. Times sure have turned.

No....that is an original tip overlay for the Itasca. Check out the catalogs around mid 70's. And they are overlays, not inlays.

Everything got uglier in the 70's! Thanks George!

For a string I would build a 10 strand 459 type string with padded loops. make it 65" long, Hertere's measured bows overall length not nock to nock, and tune to suit.

Those are great shooting bows by the way.

Hi, I think a 10 strand string on a 57 pound bow is pushing it. It won´t be quiet, even with loop padding and proper brace height. But that is only my experience/opinion.

shoot straight - skookum bow

Skookum..strand count has absolutely nothing to do with bow noise. If one has to increase strand count to quiet a bow, there is a problem with either the construction of the string, or the ability of the individual to tune a bow.

That should say 450 not 459.

I would not put a modern string on that bow, it will not handle it. Also, good luck, those things kick like a mule, I know have shot a couple.

The bow is yours for absolutely certain, as is string material decision. That being said, the bow will handle a well made modern string just fine. And they DON"T kick like a mule if the brace height is correct.

Yes, it will handle it. And, if you use a low strand count modern string, it won't kick like a mule. Again, it's about tuning, arrow choice, and how you hold the bow while shooting. I use modern string material on all my classic bows and have done that for about eight years now if my cypherin is correct. Just have decently padded loops and don't use ultra light arrows.

thanks to all for your help, there is a lot to consider when picking strings for classic bows. I have yet to find a chart for strings that shows there characteristics , some stretch, no stretch , ....... ect. Plus I have difficulty remembering new things. At least I remember how to shoot.

I bought a Herter's longbow like yours in the early 70's. There were no overlays or inlays. In fact, the bow was perfectly straight with no deflex or reflex and it followed the string about .5 inches on each limb. Also, it had negative tiller. I've never shot any bow as well as I shot that one. I was starting to see what Howard Hill was talking about regarding stability and accuracy. As a result, I bought a new Howard Hill Tembo. I added overlays to the Herter's and shot it for years.

rman...I'm actually working on that information right now for my own use. As soon as I get it assembled, I'll post it for everybody.

thanks guys

A little more help please , I cant find a string for this bow. Maybe you all can suggest a place to order one, I know longbow strings are messured diff then recurves, its marked 64.5" back in 1975 , so whats the string legth that I should be looking for ? After reading a lot it seems a padded loop either b-50 0r modern will work, I think I don't care as long as its fat at the string groves , correct ? The b-50 on my Safari seems great, no complaints . Any suggestions where I may purchase a string or two ?

. r-man. Hertere's measured the overall length of the bow (from tip to tip). Not from string groove to string groove. So, get a string that is 62" AMO, or, a 59" string.

fdp , the bow is 70"

It says right on the bow to use a 64.5" string, so I don't know how it would be a 62" string? There are string makers on here that I'm sure can help out.

yea, look at the first pic , a circle stamp with string specs and place of origin

Aaah, and no one will make you a 64" string Randy , or you can't find one locally? If you can't find one locally, get a string that is 68" AMO, the string will be 65". It will be long, but you can twist it up to get the bow tuned. Then measure the actual string length while it's on the bow, and have one of the guys here make you a couple that are the right length.

Thanks Frank, will due

Follow up , I have been shooting this bow for a few days with a string gave to me by Knifeguy (lance) . I started with a 5.5 brace just to see how she shoots , aside fro the string hiting my wrist do to the short brace it was dead on , and I slowly brought the brace to 7" and she sure feels sweet , and very accurate . I keep taking it out and adjusting the string till she settles in . The shelf on this bow showed some severe damage from something , it was cracked and looked like water damage and or fire damage . But only the shelf was damaged , What I did was shave down the shelf till I found some solid wood and shape it . Looks like new, coated the area with a thick coat of enamel clear coat and finished it with some fresh leather . I was concerned that it would alter the ( Tiller ) or what ever you call it. Nope I shoot split finger and it may be my go to bow for deer now. And of course reel quiet . 1975 was a good year . Thanks

I will take a pic of the finished bow tomorrow , here is the before shelf

Took her out to the field this morning for a little walk hunt . I didn't get a chance to shoot today. And I forgot to tske a pic before I glued the rest plate and leather on , you can see there is still a small line from that deep one , . I noticed that the arrow marks on the leather look like a high nock angle ? I also gave it a camo sock from 3rivers to protect it

yea , I am trying out Velcro as I needed to get the arrow up .375"

Looking good Randy. I love seeing those old bows recouped and shot again. I think there is built-in mojo in those castaways. By the way, I'm a Velcro fan as well and it's plenty cheap and effective.

wish they came with noches for the game they take , sorta bow specific history .

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