Stress Cracking?

[Paul_R]

I have a 1968 Bear Grizzly. There is a little line that runs across the back side of the upper limb that looks more like a crease than a crack. If you look reaaaly close there some very tiny surface cracks. It's that line you can see at the upper radius of the sight window.

Is this stress cracking?

   

[Paul_R]

Here is another shot showing the little cracks. Everything appears to be happening at the surface finish. That line running at an angle is a scratch BTW...

   

[TRAP]

We usually refer to "stress cracks" in vintage bows as those cracks that run lengthwise with the limb instead of across the limb like your "crease".

It looks to me like something has been dropped on that limb or its been compressed in some way. It may just be where a spring arm type quiver has compressed the finish in that spot over time.

If the glass is damaged, fibers will likely lift on each side of the damaged area or you may see stress cracks running out from the crease.  
 
Not sure I'd want to be tied to that one at full draw, especially if the "crease" is on the back of the bow.

Trap

[JRY309]

I don't really see any stress cracking,that looks like where a quiver contacted the bow limb.Some of the old style Bear quivers kind of hooked around the limb in that area.

[DayTripper]

Originally posted by TRAP:

It looks to me like something has been dropped on that limb or its been compressed in some way. It may just be where a spring arm type quiver has compressed the finish in that spot over time.

If the glass is damaged, fibers will likely lift on each side of the damaged area or you may see stress cracks running out from the crease.  
 
Not sure I'd want to be tied to that one at full draw, especially if the "crease" is on the back of the bow.

Trap

I agree with Trap.

[Paul_R]

Originally posted by JRY309:
I don't really see any stress cracking,that looks like where a quiver contacted the bow limb.Some of the old style Bear quivers kind of hooked around the limb in that area.

The quiver thing never occurred to me. That's exactly what it looks like, a dent in the gelcoat and finish from something being mounted there. It's not down into the glass at all. Thanks JRY309!

[Shawn Leonard]

It is not in the working part of the limb either so I would not be overly concerned. Shawn