Another post on a different web site got me to thinking. Regarding the old Bear recurves, if you see a bow labled 50X for bow weight what does this mean? In bows of that era (especially the Pearsons) I though that meant 51 pounds and a XX45 mean 43 pounds. Yet if this is true, why didn't they just write 51 pounds on the bow? Can anybody tell me the exact meaning of the marking system (especially on Bear recurves) and maybe a source to verify it?

String -

"Can anybody tell me the exact meaning of the marking system (especially on Bear recurves) and maybe a source to verify it?"

Ah - no.

Ben Pearon had their methodology, AMO had an "Official" protocol and Bear had theirs. The only "trick" was in some case the actual measured draw weight was marked under the strike plate.

Viper out.

On the Bear bows I've had, that had a X by the poundage, I've found that if the X was behind the number, (as in 50X)it meant it was over 50#. And if it was infront of the number it was lighter then 50#. I have a 1970 Bear Grizzly that is marked 40#, but is really 43#. As Viper said the true weight was marked under the side plate.

My theory is that perhaps they had trouble selling the bows that weren't right on. In other words if someone was looking for a 45lb. bow they didn't want a 44 or a 46 but would buy a x45 or 45x.Anyhow just a thought.

That's good info and mirrors another reply that I heard. Thanks

I believe Archer is correct. So is Viper. Almost all of my Bear bows have the weight under the side plate. And the real weight does coincide with the "x" being on one side or the other of the weight listed on the handle, like Archer decribes.

It means no one under the age of 18 can use that bow.

When a bow scaled exactly 47 1/2#, they must've flipped a coin - heads mark it 45# or tails mark it 50#. :o) Clint

Ammo standards required the weight to be listed on the bow in 5 lb increments so bow companys shot for weights in that way. You very seldom hit the exact weight because of tillering n variences in wood and they didn't change their limb design by narrowing a bow to hit weight. So if they were off pearson used the X system, xx55=53, 55xx=57. Bear put the true weight behind the side plate on their bows.

Btw most companys didn't put anything to let ya know. They just rounded it to the nearest 5 lbs n put that on the bow.

In my post above, I said my Grizzly was marked 40#. It is marked 40X# and is 43#.

I'm not sure what the x's were on bears, bow that had warrantee work maybe? dunno.

I just picked up a Ben Pearson American that is marked x30# @ 28". Its actually 25# @ 28", doubt that helps any but maybe its a piece to the puzzle?

The bowyer was blowing kisses to ya!

Ron

Well we've come a long way in 12 years.

Little more or a little less than marked.

It makes no sense to me why they don’t just mark the actual weight on each bow.

Trad, it's probably just a marketing ploy. Think about it. Customers coming into a Bear dealer looking for specific bow weights and the number of bows the dealer would have to stock. This way a dealer could stock bows in 40#, 45#, 50# classes. Some would be a little heavier and some a little lighter. Buyers of archery tackle weren't as sophisticated or particular in the 50s and 60s as they are now.

Actually, I don't think those Xs started to show up until the 70s. All of my 60s Bears had actual weight written on them.

If the x before or after the marked # means above or below said #,then what about the bows marked with multiple xx as xx40# or 40#xx ?

If the x before or after the marked # means above or below said #,then what about the bows marked with multiple xx as xx40# or 40#xx ?

It's all in the AMO manual.

And then we have the system that Shakespeare [sometime Root] used where +45+ or -45- is used , who knows and neither of them feel like 45# to me ??? Any gurus care to explain please.

we might as well go all in on this 12 yr. old thread that was initially brought back to life by "qing qing" who was shilling for Black Hunter bows stating how well and precisely the weight was marked, his contribution was quickly deleted leaving me holding the bag, HA, anyway, here is an example of Shakespeare's marking

Frank, here’s what I find on the internet for the AMO manual. It doesn’t say anything about multiple xx’s but I know I’ve seen them.

I have as well.

:)

Sorry forgot the photo of the info page.

Like reddogge posted AMO had to come up with a way for retailers to order bows in weight ranges rather than exact weights.

Shaftcaster- I recently picked up 1970 Necedah (and passed it on) marked -45-. I didn't measure it but a bit of research lead to a knowledgeable source that showed it was Shakespeare's way of marking a 43#.

Back in the 70s we always assumed it meant plus or minus whatever poundage was marked on the bow..my Bear Grizzly I bought brand new has the exact poundage under the strike plate.

Krag , it is funny you know both bows listed as +45+ and at -45- seems at least 4/5 lbs difference in pull weight which would kinda sit with whatever the Shakespeare formula you mention states . BTW so much easier to peel back the side plate and read true weight as the Bear fellas mention.

I have no backup on this but I'm guessing a Bear dealer in the 50s and 60s would order bows in 5# increments of weight ranges. Then Bear would ship him bows that were close to his request. Any old dealers out there who would know?

Yes, like shirt size

I have a vintage Super Grizzly, which was ordered at 60 lbs. It is marked 60X#. It scaled at 63 lbs., and there was nothing written under the sideplate. I have no idea what all this means, or doesn't mean.

Murray

Correct answer...Each x = one pound before or after the draw weight. For example x40 would be 39lbs. 40x would be 41 lbs. 40xx would be 42 lbs. etc.

Yeah... I know something!!! Read it in an old Black Widow Catalog a while back.

I have a 1970 Shakespeare Kaibab recurve bow, and it is marked as a +45+ bow. So then ???. At 82 years of age I just shoot the bow, & somedays when I find the bow harder to shoot it must be 46 or 47lbs and vice versa.

Rainmaker, the guy in the factory wanted to mess with you>

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