This is my first Custom Bighorn. I just got it in a trade on here and I am excited to give it a try. I would like to know the year if possible and any general history of these bows. I know Asbell was involved but I don't what time period. Thanks!

Okie, depending on limb width, your bow is an '83 to early '85. Hope this helps. Shick

Quite a coup to find limbs that light on that vintage bow. Looks like it's in excellent shape as well. Good find.

It is odd to find one so light. This may have been someone's wife's bow. If you get tired of that bow, let me know. Good find!

I agree guys, I always wanted one but the ones I have seen were 55 or more with most being in the 60s or more.

Nice bow. I always liked them. Enjoy!!

I have an 87 model in about the same weight as yours except 62in long.

if your riser is about 16 1/2 inches long, it was made around 1983 /1984. fred came out with a longer riser, 18 1/2 inches long in late 1984, i know , i brought one from him. and still have both of these bows, both look like yours in the photo.

Here is another picture of the riser. I will measure the riser tonight.

Bighorn added the longer riser but did not do away with the short one. Started making the flat bed bows around 89 as I remember. I have a Colorado I ordered in late 87 and took delivery in Jan. 88. I started with 70# limbs, then 65’s, then 60’s and now 55#. Fred signed the riser when I had it built and although I have about 10 other bows the BH is my go to bow and I’ll be carrying it again come elk season in n September.

DJ

Here’s a picture of her doing her thing.

And another picture.

I don't believe your bow has matching limbs and maybe that's why the bow has the light limbs they don't match. There should not be overhang like that.

Check the serial number not that BH matches number s before hand.

I think in the early years preKing who ruined the company from Fred when he took over.

Oh they shoot fine and match up the curved beds but that aren't flush like they should be your bow.

Shick is correct. I bought and sold a lot of Big Horn and limb sets over the years to guys on LW and TG

I have 2 BH left org Asbels not Kings. I had some of Kings and nothing wrong with them just never cared for King at all.

Matter of fact Bernie had to stand in between King and I at Harrisburg because between King and I the battle raged on some things and called him on in face to face.

I told King these bows stack and King said they do not he owns the company and I laid into him.

Bernie Parson's said to King Glenn's right he know these bows and our cloths. So King shut up.

I only wished I had bought Kings collection. I looked at it several times and didn't pull the trigger.

I was very big into Kustom King cloths and Big Horns. Then as their story's go the company just faded over poor management and related personal issues the bowers had. Very sad.

You have a curved bed early mid 80's original Asbel. 89 I believe they went to straight bed limbs. Had plenty of those but always preferd the curved beds.

I once owned Bob's who was Asbels partners bow.

Usually I had guys measure the riser before I sold them my limbs and told them what it might be uncovered when they mount them up.

Most of my trophy's room had come from Big Horn bows . I simply love Big Horns.

All the bowyers who took on BH after King must have loved fat chicks because their risers and limbs took on weight.

Ryman are you talking about Bernie Parson? What ever happened to him?

Serial numbers n the limbs match. I guess you are saying the limbs don’t match the riser? The riser is just over 16 1/2” long. The limbs are 1 7/16 “ wide and the riser is 1 3/16” so there is a 1/32” overlay on sides and about the same on the end. It is all even so it looks like it was made that way on purpose. I’ve seen worse fits on custom bows that were matched. Thanks for all the info so far. I’m going to give it a try this weekend.

I’ve never noticed that type serial number? To be honest, mine is a one piece and I can’t remember but perhaps that’s what I’ve been around the most. The number on that is on riser handle. It’s number 0337. Was putting number on limbs w take downs a common practice? Good luck w bow op. Mine is going no where. My only wish is that grip was smaller

The riser is 1 3/8” not 1 3/16” like I said above. I measured straight across end to end on riser when I said 16 1/2” but I’m sure it would be considered a 17” riser.

The limbs may have been made at a different time/later than the riser, but so what. They're a good fit and look good. Wasn't uncommon for folks to order additional sets of limbs.

I just recently reacquired a Bighorn that I had made for me in 87. Has my name on the riser. When I had it made, it had 60-inch, 65# limbs. When I got the bow back a few months ago, it had limbs that were 56 inches and 54#. Obviously, not the original limbs. Lucky for me because I can no longer handle 65#.

There was just a tad more width to the limbs than the riser as well as a bit of an overhang at the bases on every Bighorn TD I've ever handled.

You've found yourself a very nice bow. Enjoy it.

Serial numbers are on both limbs of my Colorado td. Anybody have something other than black glass on a Colorado? My bow originally had black glass, but I had to get replacement limbs, and they were made with brown glass. I like the brown better. It goes nicely with the color of the riser.

MP

Awesome bows!

Never owned one but I've always liked and admired the Bighorn TD's with the curved limb beds.

It's an iconic design.

It was the inspiration when I designed my Prowler TD about 10 years ago. The attached photo is one of my original Prowlers from back then.

I'm currently in the process of revisiting my design and making some changes to it.

After I get the changes made, I plan to make a couple for myself at some point this year.

I haven't made a new bow for myself in a long time and I'm kind of excited about it.

Seeing pictures of these beautiful Bighorns just makes me a little more antsy to get it done...lol

My Colorado Bighorn...

Brandon, good looking creation, just like all your others. Shick

Can anyone out there make limbs for older Bighorns ? Curved limb bed ? I’d sure like to have some lighter limbs for my old Bighorn.

Crazy this thread is up top today...I just purchased an asbell bighorn on the auction site for what I believe to be a great deal...Should have it next week. Pretty psyched!

No I haven't talked to Bernie in a good many years but last saw him at a shoot and I forget where.

Wow if you would make a Big horn Brandon I would want one.

I actually really liked all the Colorado's much more than my customs. They were the forerunner. I had some really custom sticks with fantastic wood combinations. I sold a lot of Big Horns.

Lighter limbs are really, really hard to come across because of so many guys having to bow down and simply put many up and coming young men just aren't as strong as us Old boys were years ago or in reality maybe not smart enough to shoot lighter bows we could really handle. Just kidding.

Guys I don't think really knew a whole lot about them and then when the company got destroyed it was purchased and never went very far then afterwards.

I'd be will to bet if someone could buy this company and do a marketing deal and slim down the bows to when Asble had them they really could make a go of things.

Lets put it this way Predator sure did and look at what they were able to accomplish by taking Big Horn and boxing it up and changing slightly.

Oh God rest his soul didn't like that when I told him all his bow was is a glorified Big Horn.

He didn't see the Big Horn I had behind my back when he brought it out at Etar. My buddy bought 2 and was talking to him as I walked by said here Cat I want you to meet this guy. So I walked over and put my bow behind my back.

He was raving on about his bow and I said Hmm wonder what Fred thinks lets match them up then oh well. LOL

I told you so and it was denied that Predator copied. You want a modern day BH get predator maybe.

Back in 2009 I asked the new owner of Bighorn if he could make me a set of limbs like were made in the mid 90's. he said he did not have the form to make them. So I asked him if I sent him a set of limbs could he make a form so he could make me a set of lighter limbs and he said he could. So I sent him a set of limbs and my favorite riser so he could match them up. Well 9 1/2 years later I still don't have a set of limbs or my riser or the money I sent him.I would get a text from him once a year like to hang in there or it will be worth the wait but nothing lately. I hade told him back then he could make a killing on just making limbs because everybody back then had heavy weight limbs and that they are getting older like me and need something lighter.So Rich if you are reading this I am still waiting!

Dave Schultz shot the original Bighorns and started making his slightly modified version, the custom Black Death..I have one of those..he closed up shop and I think folks with orders got shortchanged..

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