That should make a fun project! Milo is spot-on, in the 50's and early 60's, very few men shot 50lb bows. M.R. James killed his first muley at 47 yards with a 42lb bow. The thought these days is that most folks would be far more accurate with trad bows if they/we would return to lighter poundage.
I'm looking forward to seeing it when you are done!