hairline cracks on the bow limbs

[SourOwl]

I'm wondering about the safety of shooting a recurve tha appears to have faint stress-cracks on the fiberglass back above and below the riser.  This bow is a Shakespear" I believe, very short, pulls 40# and is a "lefty" which is what i need.  It's in the same pawn shop where I bought my Savora take down, and I believe it was pawned there by the same person who pawned the Savora.  I didn't buy it because of the slight cracks, but I'd like to, if it would be a "shooter".  Bowdoc, what do you think?  Thanks,  Sourowl

[Migra Bill]

Well pics allways help but.. If you are talking about the stress line cracks that are very common in these bows - it should be fine. make sure the cracks are only in the fiberglass not down into the wood. Also make sure that they do not extend to the edges of the limbs (can you see them from the side of the limbs). I have also beed told that cracks that run perpendicular (across the limbs) are more worrysom than stress cracks that run along and down the limbs.

This, of course, is not meant as legal and binding advise    :D  
Pics allways help.

[SourOwl]

Migra Bill - I believe the stress cracks in the bow I'm thinking about are very shallow, certainly not into the wood beneath.  None seem to extend anywhere near the edges of the limbs and none run across the limbs.  I don't have any pictures but I think I'll go talk to the pawn shop owner, and point out the cracks in an attempt to get a better price......now that I think about it, I have a Bear Cub made back in the 50's I think, and it also has a few stress cracks in the back fiberglass which doesn't seem to hurt the shootability of it.  I don't have much experience with these things, so your help is appreciated.  Thanks,  Sourowl

[d. ward]

SO those should be OK as Bill mentioned they really don't seem to bother anything.bowdoc