Bighorn Bows

[Hermon]

exactly on the curved limb beds,, they changed the riser angle about 86-7 I have both and I can post pics

those limbs will interchange you just gain 10 lbs or lose 10 lbs

they also changed limb widths (also riser widths) about then the first ones  had narrow limbs the later had the wider limbs

Scott, are you saying that there were two limb pad angles for the straight limb bed risers, or there were two for the curved limb bed risers?  I only knew about curved and straight.  TIA

[Orion]

I had TDs built for me in 86 and 87, and both were wider version curved limb bed bows.  Had another built in 91, and i believe that one was a straight limb bed riser, but am not sure.  I no longer have it. 

Since I never owned both curved limb bed versions (wider and thinner), I can't speak to the similarity of their limb bed angles and I never tried to interchange those limbs. Of course, the curved bed limbs don't work on flat bed risers and vice versa.   

[Hermon]

Don't know this from first hand experience, but was told years ago that the narrow and wide curved bed limbs would interchange (fit on riser).  Wasn't told of a difference in pad angle.  There may be, but it wasn't mentioned.

[South MS Bowhunter]

1989 model curved bed

[HornHunter]

Ok first picture is an 86 riser, black lines are an 84 riser
2nd pic is 86 riser width 1 5/8"
3rd pic is 84 riser barely 1 1/4" width

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[HornHunter]

and yes the limbs do interchange, but as you can see the 86 was alot more limb forward than the 84

biggest difference is the limb width, almost a full 1/2" wider on the 86

which shot better? well the 86 was a rocket, 62" 70# @ 29" I shot a 2219 that weighed 800 grns

but the 84 killed alot more critters 60" 67@29" 2219 at 600 grns

I still shoot the 84 ,just reduced the weight to about 54 lbs, robin hooded an arrow last winter,  Run what you brung

[Hermon]

Scott, thanks for the pics and explanation.

[Orion]

Indian has a model it calls a Bighorn.  Not the same bow. No comparison.  Not even close. 

[HornHunter]

the flat bed limb that King produced was an awsome shooter,  with the FF tips (bombproof) , it was very reliable, and adding a FF string, made it fast, plus the design and woods that are in Kings bows are still in the top of its class

[cacciatore]

the flat bed limb that King produced was an awsome shooter,  with the FF tips (bombproof) , it was very reliable, and adding a FF string, made it fast, plus the design and woods that are in Kings bows are still in the top of its class

X2

[Whitetails2]

Collection of one of each model made when Asbell owned the company including the first bow made and one made for Glenn St. Charles and signed by Glenn.
 

[DWT]

Anyone know what year exactly the flat limb bed started? around 87-88?

[Orion]

I had a curved bed bow delivered in 1987.  The one I had made in 91 was flat bed if I remember correctly.  That narrows it down to about 2-3 years. 

[DWT]

I see pics above from a 1989 curved limb bed so the flat would have come more like 1990-1991

[HornHunter]

I think King bought BH in 1990, may have been 91, honestly dont remember if asbell started the flat limb bed, he may have, would of been right before the sale.
King improved the flatbed  with a better bolt system,

Im sure there are others here that can be more accurate with dates etc.

I was privy to see some one of a kind Big Horns back in the early days , one was a latch system td , like the bear bows, some pretty crazy grips on Freds personal bows, if you look closely at Freds pictures you can see some

[shick]

Scott, the first add for the 'new flat limbed' bighorn appeared in Bowhunter magazine for 1990.  G Fred was still President.  The new bolt attachment had a bezel that went down thru the limb and into the limb bed, making it a more stable attachment.  I believe this flat limb bed design made it much easier to produce and replicate than the curved limb.  As far as limb width, the '83's were 1 3/8" wide; the slimmer limb tipped '84's were 1 4/8" wide; and the '85's and up were 1 5/8".  Mid to late '85 they dropped the diagonal stripe for the long curved stripe.  The later curved limbs will fit the '83 and '84 risers with a slight overhang of the limbs on each side.  Not much of a performance concern.  Most owners believe the flat limb bed bows were better performers, but for me, I like the looks of the curved limbs.  These time frames aren't written in stone, but are pretty accurate.  I still have my '84 Custom Bighorn TD, truly a classic bow.  Hope this helps
Shick

[HornHunter]

sounds right shick, and yes I agree the curved limb beds are a true work of art, but were very difficult to make,

when I ordered my 86 it was almost a years wait, Glen Nelson was a close friend, believe I have a few pictures

of the 86 christmas party at Bighorn, which turned out to be a 3 day event,

[HornHunter]

1986 Bighorn Bowhunting Company Christmas Party

Fosters oil can shootout between myself (right) and Reggie "DOG" Speilberg

Left to Right... Glen Nelson Head bowyer, Doug Beck, the Secretary of BH ( poor woman was never the same) Reggie Spielberg, Scott George, Lurch, one eyed Bob, Ron Montross.

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[shick]

Scott, great picture.  glad to see you were part of it.  Good for you.  Glenn was a helluva bowyer.  I still have my '89 ramhunter longbow which I believe he designed.   Thanks for sharing.
Shick

[DWT]

Nice pics Scott, hard to believe how young everyone was at one time, hard to believe 30 yrs have past since I started shooting stickbows right out of high school, if you have anymore pics or if anyone else has any pics pertaining to bighorn post them up