Help with older longbow

[SD4x4]

Hello everyone and thanks for looking. Ive got a couple questions regarding an older longbow of my grandfathers. We've had the bow since i can remember but i don't know what he used it for. Anyways, from what i can tell its a singular bow but it doesn't have a string. Ive brought it out in hopes of making it a bowfishing bow or to learn to shoot traditional. What i need to know is where could i find a string for it? Is there a custom string shop that could do it? Lastly is it even safe to shoot? ive bent it slightly by myself but havn't been able to shoot it.

[Bjorn]

Welcome to TG! I see this is your first post and pics may be a challenge for you; but they would be a really good place to start with your particular question. If you can't post pics you could send them to someone-including me-and I'll post them for you.

[SD4x4]

Ok! Right now I am not home and wont get back till probably Sunday to be able to get pictures of it. Is there anything i could explain more in depth to help? THanks!

[luvnlongbow]

X2. Photos will tell a lot about the bow. There are sponsors here that make excellent strings. Welcome to the Gang!

[dnovo]

Welcome to the gang!
You need to determine if this is a self bow (all wood) or some type of laminated longbow. Do you have any idea of how old it it?
If it is an old selfbow, you would probably be better off not trying to shoot it.

[straitera]

Good set of photos will help. Any markings or writing anywhere? You're at the right place. Look in the classifieds if you want a good deal on another trad bow.

[SD4x4]

Im almost certain its a self bow. From the sounds of it its old. Old as in my Grandfather used it when he was younger. Ill try and get some pictures sent to me so i can post them. In the case that it is rough. Is there anything that one could do to help "revive" the bow?

[David Mitchell]

There is no way I would risk shooting that bow!  If I had one my grandfather used it would be a cherished "trophy" on the wall.  You can pick up a cheap bow fishing outfit but there is only one of that one....forever.

[owlbait]

Hi Nathan and welcome. This happened to me recently. My brother dealt me a longbow that was made in the 50's, a great looking bow. He found it stored in the attic. Great finish, except the tips had pulled apart. I super-glued them and thought, "What a neat bow to hunt with". I had a string made for it, carefully strung it, all was well. Pulled it a couple inches, all well. Short drew and shot it, all well. Then, BANG! It broke and split apart like a piece of dry kindling. So, my advice is, are you prepared to go through that? No one was seriously injured when my bow blew up. Things to consider. Good luck what ever you do.  

[SD4x4]

Well I probably wont do it then! I guess it got put a way for a reason. He had another recurve which he put up when he stopped being able to hunt with it. He strung it backwards if i remember correct so its no longer shootable. While this bow was stored away not to be seen haha! Ill have to find a different bow in this case! Thanks for the help!

[David Mitchell]

SD4x4, a lot of guys used to string recurves backwards just to keep the string in place--it was a way of storing the bow.  Some still do maybe, and it doesn't hurt the bow---unless you try to shoot it that way.  

[SD4x4]

Well its no longer in my possession so oh well i guess.