Pretty cool reunion…

[Triple C]

…with the first bow that I ever owned. Bought this Shakespeare Cascade Wonderbow when I was 15. That would have been 1971. Never even loosed an arrow at a deer as I never saw a deer back then.

Gave it to my then girlfriend’s brother a few years later. He ended up as my BIL. Got home a couple of weeks ago n much to my surprise it was displayed on my desk. BIL gave it to my wife to reunite with me. It will b a cool legacy gift for one of the grand kids. BIL took really good care of it for 50 yrs.

 

[Native Hunter]

Very nice TC. Great story.

 

[dogghr]

thats really cool. Would you be willing to string it and shoot?? I've still have my first one but afraid to string it again...but it is tempting.
But inquiring minds really want to know about the once GF you had?? Bet you were a stud!! Details please.

 

[George]

thats really cool. Would you be willing to string it and shoot?? I've still have my first one but afraid to string it again...but it is tempting.
But inquiring minds really want to know about the once GF you had?? Bet you were a stud!! Details please.

She is the beautiful Lady in all of his family photos.

G

 

[Triple C]

thats really cool. Would you be willing to string it and shoot?? I've still have my first one but afraid to string it again...but it is tempting.
But inquiring minds really want to know about the once GF you had?? Bet you were a stud!! Details please.

I do plan to shoot it. It still has the original string on it and looks to be in good condition. Bow has no delamination that I can find anywhere.

As for the lady…George is spot on. We were high school sweethearts. Speaking of the glory days, we all relive them from time to time.

 

[dogghr]

I'm not as brave as you. I've saw my dads recurve shattered once. But if you do, I shall also. I too have the original string, cedar arrows, and bear broadheads. If I die, it will be your fault!! Cool story on the sweetheart. You obviously were quite the HS stud, as you prob are now!!

 

[gut_pile]

Great stuff AC. Thanks for sharing

 

[Fishman]

I would not be scared to shoot it as long as it does not have any signs of delamination. I have two Bear bows from 1969 and one Bear bow from 1972. All three shoot fine. Personally I would be more worried about the string.

 

[Triple C]

Well boys...strung that baby up yesterday afternoon and shot about 20 arrows thru her. No lamination in bow whatsoever so feel pretty comfortable shooting it. I've got to replace the side mounted arrow rest with a shelf rest. Weight shows 50 lbs but it is not nearly as stiff as my Black Widow at 48 lbs. Feels more like 40. Quite surprised at how nice it felt shooting. This group came out of my Black Widow. Groups out of Shakespeare not nearly as tight.

This is my indoor archery range in the basement. When we were digging the foundation my son suggested that we excavatate under the front porch and use steal I-beams n corrugated steel to support the front porch of house rather than back filling with dirt. Made for a nice 20 yd long safe room under the front porch and accessible from the basement. Within next few months I’ll finish it as an indoor archery range. Right now it’s corn hole setup for grandkids.

 

[George]

Nice archery range.

G

 

[OkieKubota]

Definitely an aim small, miss small type of range...my archery target sits on a large sandstone rock I placed in our front yard for the same reason. You tend not to just fling arrows when you know it’s gonna mean a ruined arrow if you miss.

 

[Buckly]

Well boys...strung that baby up yesterday afternoon and shot about 20 arrows thru her. No lamination in bow whatsoever so feel pretty comfortable shooting it. I've got to replace the side mounted arrow rest with a shelf rest. Weight shows 50 lbs but it is not nearly as stiff as my Black Widow at 48 lbs. Feels more like 40. Quite surprised at how nice it felt shooting. This group came out of my Black Widow. Groups out of Shakespeare not nearly as tight.
View attachment 22535
This is my indoor archery range in the basement. When we were digging the foundation my son suggested that we excavatate under the front porch and use steal I-beams n corrugated steel to support the front porch of house rather than back filling with dirt. Made for a nice 20 yd long safe room under the front porch and accessible from the basement. Within next few months I’ll finish it as an indoor archery range. Right now it’s corn hole setup for grandkids.
View attachment 22536

More than likely the string has stretched quite a bit reducing poundage. Personally I’d change the string out just for safety. Are you going to hunt with it this year?

 

[buckdeer1]

I wonder if they were set at 45 at 28" or something different

 

[Triple C]

As far as my indoor archery range, I ordered one of the 4x6 arrow stops from 3Rivers Archery to place on the concrete wall behind the target. Just haven't got it anchored into the wall yet. I've had one at the farm for 6 years behind a 3D target. UV has about killed it but it still stops arrows when I miss the 3D. I'm prolly months away from getting the indoor range finished. Just too many other things I need to get done first. I'll post up pics as I make progress on the cavern in the basement.