Solid Fiberglass Bow - Shoot it???

[cajuntec]

I have a good friend who has his father-in-law's old bow, and he wants to shoot it.  At first look, I thought it was a longbow, because it looks as straight as can be, with just a bit of curve at the ends, but when you bend it back, it has a definite "recurve" look to it.  It is very short - I'm guessing somewhere around 50 inches long from the looks of it - and it is SOLID fiberglass.  

There is no brand name or markings on it, but it is a thick, semi-transparent light green color.

It has a black rubber grip, and it is an ambidextrious bow - you can shoot on either side, as it has a shelf for either right or left hand shooters.

He has asked me to build a string for it, but I am really nervous about stringing it up because it looks so old.  I don't see any cracks or stress lines in it.

Would you shoot it?  I.E. - would you recommend to my friend that he put it on the wall as a display, or would you build him a string and show him how to shoot it since he seems so excited about it?  

I offered up a Bear Kodiak Hunter to him... he still wants to shoot this one.

Suggestions welcome.

All the best,
Glenn

[elk ninja]

I say shoot it.  Check out the fiberglas "kids" bows  that 3 rivers has, sounds like one of Thiers.  I have one in the garage right now I have to build a string for.  Looks old, but really isn't.  Pulls something like 25 or 30 pounds.

[cajuntec]

Well, I got it in my hands.  I'm going to recommend that he doesn't shoot it.  I went over it completely, and looking at the top nock, it has a little 1/4" split coming from the left side of the nock groove.  I don't know how long the bow would last, but I don't want to be the one on the string side when it goes, and I really don't want it in his or his kids hands if it goes.  Too bad.  The rest of it looks fine.

Thanks everyone.
All the best,
Glenn