Condition of parallel cracked limbs

[icentropy]

Hi all, I picked up an old 50lb Browning Fire Drake. Bow looks to be in great shape. I really want a 55-60lb bow and there's a guy selling a 60lb bow cause it's too heavy. He'd trade limbs with me. My concern is his limbs have a crack on the face of the limbs running from the riser a few inches towards the tips. I'll post links to the pics. He says the cracks are probably due to the limbs being tightened too much and that they do not affect the bow at all. I've never had a bow crack like that so i have no idea. my limbs have no such crack. Any suggestions or info would be greatly appreciated. This will be a hunting bow so I'm not all that concerned with looks just want to make sure the bow isn't weakened by cracks like that and that it's perfectly fine to shoot (as the owner is saying) Here's some pics of the bow and limbs in question.

   

   

   

   
   
   

[bigbob2]

For mine I wouldn't be touching it!. Those cracks under limb bolts can only get worse.

[passion for knowledge]

In my (very) limited experience making bow and arrows, cracks have always led to a less than satisfactory outcome.

My 2¢

[EwokArcher]

I shot an Osage bow that had a parallel cracks which opened up to 1/8 wide at full draw for several months before it finishing ally gave. Just wrapped either side at handle and tip with artificial sinew and super glue. (It was a Holme style with 1.5 inch limb width for length of the cracked area)

[fujimo]

are you sure they are cracks- and not just scribe marks for the bowyer marking the center of the limb. they look very central thats all- not questioning your judgement  

[icentropy]

Originally posted by fujimo:
are you sure they are cracks- and not just scribe marks for the bowyer marking the center of the limb. they look very central thats all- not questioning your judgement    

Yup, perfectly centered to the bolt holes. owner says they're cracks but he's shot the bow tons and hasn't had any issues with them.....yet