Bear Cub leather handle 1953-56

[Armand]

wow just got my cub in the mail probaly not a shooter it appears to have a little crack in the lamination on the front, first large bear decal bow i've had, looked in the books and age it about 1953-1956 with the decal, it would be nice to be able to date it its a 62" 44# SR787 for a number leather still in good shape leather wedge rest is great

[raghorn]

Looking at the old catalogs it seems that in 1955 they started to put an arrow side plate on the Cubs. Prior to that they just had a grip.
 

[Armand]

mine must be a 55 then because mine has a leather wedge for a rest wished i could shoot it just one time but if i dont buy a string ill just as well be not tempted

[raghorn]

A bow was built to be shot. If you did not have to pay a fortune for it , then go ahead and shoot it! Experience what it was like almost 50 years ago to carry and shoot what was then state of the art. In reality there is not that much difference from what is available now! If it makes you more comfortable put a little itsy,tiny,teeny,bit of super glue in the crack, try to keep it just in the crack and not all over the limb and it won't show. For the most part if the crack is vertical in the glass and doesn't go to the edge or doesn't start at the edge it should be OK.

[Armand]

just bought a string jig on ebay will probaly build a string and at least try it it is killing me not to shoot it will do some careful gluing and let it go