# Archery question. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 28, 2010, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archery-question/551763 "2010-08-28T04:28:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archery-question/551763/21 "2010-08-29T14:38:32Z")
> [@Moonshiner](#): > > First line would be the draw weight at full draw (28" in your case). Can’t imagine why anyone would scratch the draw weight off of a bow. Maybe a former owner was embarrassed by a light weight? > > 62" is likely the string length, but you’d expect to see AMO (Archery Manufacturers Association) in front of it. They got together years ago to codify string measurement techniques for recurve bows, among other things. > > HH shows up on lots of [Howatt Hunters](http://www.google.com/images?q=Howatt%20Hunter&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1280&bih=846). Nice bows. > > The 27 39 might be part of the serial number. The folks at [Trad Gang](http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi) may be of help to you. Odd. I measured the string length. It’s 55 inches. Measuring along the back of the bow, around the curves, It is just at 62”s. Unstrung it measures 56”s tip to tip. A 62" string would be way way to long. Maybe this bow was made before AMO came into play. Or, the numbers are wrong on the bow, and that is why the weight was scratched off. Most likely though, just the previous owner for whatever reason. Some pics – [The numbers on the bow](http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r148/enipla/IMG_0969.jpg) [The stock (?). What I would call it anyway](http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r148/enipla/IMG_0965.jpg) [The full bow](http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r148/enipla/IMG_0964.jpg) Thanks all. It’s sort of a curiosity. ---
**Author:** ![Moonshiner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@Moonshiner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonshiner)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archery-question/551763/22 "2010-08-29T16:21:27Z")
\*The Archery Trade Association (ATA) specifies that a Traditional Bowstring should be labeled and sold by the length of the bow not the bowstring length itself. A 60" Bowstring is for a 60" bow, not the length of the bowstring. A Traditional bow is measured from string groove to string groove around the curve of the bows limbs, not directly from tip to tip. This measurement does not go into the curve of the handle but across the face of the bow limbs from string groove to string grove. This will give you the approximate length of the bow. \* From: [http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publish/TailorMaidMeasuring.shtml](http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publish/TailorMaidMeasuring.shtml) So 62" is your AMO (er, ATA nowadays) bow length. When you need a new string just tell the guy at the shop you’ve got a 62" recurve. Looks to be in really nice condition in the photos. Take care of it. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2010, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archery-question/551763/23 "2010-08-29T21:00:13Z")
> [@Moonshiner](#): > > \*The Archery Trade Association (ATA) specifies that a Traditional Bowstring should be labeled and sold by the length of the bow not the bowstring length itself. A 60" Bowstring is for a 60" bow, not the length of the bowstring. A Traditional bow is measured from string groove to string groove around the curve of the bows limbs, not directly from tip to tip. This measurement does not go into the curve of the handle but across the face of the bow limbs from string groove to string grove. This will give you the approximate length of the bow. \* > > From: [http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publish/TailorMaidMeasuring.shtml](http://www.bowhunting.net/artman/publish/TailorMaidMeasuring.shtml) > > So 62" is your AMO (er, ATA nowadays) bow length. When you need a new string just tell the guy at the shop you’ve got a 62" recurve. > > Looks to be in really nice condition in the photos. Take care of it. Thanks for all the good info. To everyone. I’m going to string it right now (soon as I put a pair of boots on). It is a beautiful bow. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/archery-question/551763.md?page=1)