Just in case this bow blows up on me the first time I use it, I figured I'd better post the pics of my first attempts at refinishing.  

Had to make a little repair on this '59 and went a little too far.  Ended up turning into a project. Drat! And I thought I could just lightly sand off the old tape residue, but I probably should have just used some sort of remover instead--probably would have saved me a lot of extra work. Thought of that a bit too late.

I know it's an amateur finish job, but I think it'll kill a deer if it stays together. And it was nice to rescue her from Maryland to bring her back to the land where she was born!

I cut a new grip leather from some buckskin I tanned from the first deer I shot with a flintlock rifle I built. Between that and the 'it was born down the road 50 years ago' thing, you'd think I have a decent shot at scoring this fall!

Problem now is, I can't decide if I should cover that grip wood with the leather or not...









And some befores:

Very nice.....

Thats a great job, and a beautiful bow

Great job! luv that wood grain...Do you have any pics of the face of the bow? I'm working on a 59 griz myself... Thanks

Sweet!!!!!!! Bernie

You did a great job bringing her back    

They are such sweet shooting, elders  

Thanks guys.

Kurt, I was told that's one of your coins--thanks!

Hoof, I'll shoot a couple of the face this week.  I lost the patent decal because the tape residue soaked right into it, so I just sanded it off--so all you'll see is a lot of face.

Debating whether I want to replace the decal...I know the bow's from Grayling, the bow knows it's from Grayling and the deer I shoot near Grayling won't be able to read it anyway  :D  

Bernie

Wow! I didn;t know the wood was that pretty - maybe I wouldn't have let it go.

Seriously - beatiful job Bernie. I kinda like the look of the wood without the grip. If it feels good in your hand...

Yahoooo...my genuine Trap feather rest came today with its matching side plate for the Griz.

Thanks Trap, great work!

Put about 60 shots through her tonight and she shoots great! Can't decide if she looks better with the new jewelry or if she shoots better...probably shoots as good as she looks if I could just adjust the nut at the back of the arrow.  

Hoof, it's tough to show the face--autofocus camera wants to focus on everything around it!  Here are a couple, I hope they help...good luck with yours!

Bernie

Very nice job on the refinish. The handle looks great as is....how does it feel?

I'm getting hot and bothered looking at these bows getting refinished!  Great job!

Beautiful bow Bernie, great job on the refinish.

I like my '59 Grizzly better each time I shoot it.

Beautiful Job Bernie        

Trap

OUTSTANDING work Bernie looks great.bd

Nice job Bernie.  I vote to restore the leather.  A product I use for glue residue is Goof Off.  Works great.

Thanks guys, you're too kind.

And thanks for the tip Reddogge.  I'd sure like to find a way to make the grip removable so I could just look at the pretty wood underneath.

When I bring that baby back to Maryland to give the boys (and lovely lady) another opportunity to whip me into shape (wasn't very difficult for them last time!), are you gonna join us?

B

Kudos Bernie- good job.    GY

very cool,great job