Can any of you tell me a bit about this bow? It was given to me by an acquaintance just prior to my graduating from high school. Since it's a little much to learn archery on a 65# longbow, I set it aside until recently. I now have a recurve coming (supposed to be delivered tomorrow) with the ambitious hope of working up to this bow in a few years so I can attempt to take a moose with it.
I am a complete novice at archery, so I know next to nothing about it other than the writing on it and that (I think) its a Hill style longbow in lefthand. Can you tell me anything about it's maker, the quality of the bow, and if I may ask approximate value? MODS: if the last part is not permitted, please remove and/or inform me so that I may edit appropriately.
The writing on the bottom of the grip reads: 65#@28" and 69" #749 Custom for (name of gentleman who gave me the bow) 1988. The upper limb has "Ferguson" written on it and the lower "Boots".
In the pics, you can see that the clear coat finish is bubbling and pealing on many parts of the bow. Is there a good way to repair with little to no risk to the bow? Should I just leave it alone or wait until I can have a professional bowyer do the job?