Trad Gang
Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: lolvo240 on November 19, 2014, 03:49:00 PM
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Hi all,
I'm still new around here, but I'm quickly becoming consumed by (and increasingly obsessed with) the world of traditional archery, bow hunting, and anything else to do with putting stick-to-string-to-stick. Is this normal for newbies?
All uncertainty aside, I'm really excited for my birthday this year. Not just because I'll get to schmooze with my technologically-illiterate relatives while they ask me ignorant questions about my career, or because I will be obliged to devour vegan textured-vegetable-protein-faux-drumsticks (smothered in thick sarcasm gravy), but because I found out yesterday that my great uncle was an archer, and probably a bow hunter (although that's not something my family would ever confirm or deny, for fear of being politically incorrect)... and that he left most of his archery equipment in the care of my living relatives, who don't know a nock from a nocking point. I'm going to get my pick of a bunch of antique archery equipment and bows, some of which were hand-made by my great uncle.
I just had to share this with someone, anyone who cares about bows and arrows and stuff, so I can get back to focusing on work for the rest of the day. I'm also curious about what it's like for others to get their first vintage/antique/family heirloom bows, so tell me about it?
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What a great deal and I'd be excited too. Make sure you show us what you picked up.
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Of course! I just have to wait another week or so, and it seems like forever.
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Given your location and the era, you just might discover some very interesting items. Lots of important bowhunting history in the Evergreen State. By all means, please post photos as you are able!
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:bigsmyl: :archer:
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None of us are "normal"...and we look forward to the next bow just as much as we looked forward to that first one...right now I have a bow and a riser on their way to me, two more bows that I am paying for and I just got a private message asking if I am interested in a couple more, which I am...there are worse things to be addicted to
DDave
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Pictures, round one:
(http://i.imgur.com/gBYuI5w.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Z9q8ttB.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/X4TRpDL.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/fPeXfSS.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/P4MKaAN.jpg)
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Pictures, round 2:
(http://i.imgur.com/fHDZjf9.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/URhJ6B1.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/xwQtikd.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/BAjWp9D.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/Dk9O3UC.jpg)
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Pictures, round 3:
(http://i.imgur.com/6EyirqP.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/nCZ6eGe.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/CCCqetr.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/3H5c0oU.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/9RgMpf6.jpg)
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Pictures, round 4:
(http://i.imgur.com/OiIvXVd.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/VajKPSw.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/sLUldRa.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/FHkXmyG.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/r6FfUZs.jpg)
The last two are of Stan's old hunting bow.
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lolvo240 -
Nice photographs !
The radiused recurve, yew T/D with rawhide back in the archery tackle box, looks a lot like some of the 1940s Easton bows with the exception of the grip wrapping not being pigskin, lack of circular leather strike plate, semi-notched shelf, and lack of the Easton branding. The aluminum nock arrows from this box also look a lot like Eastons, but most of the higher end target arrows from that era looked pretty similar.
The last two images of Stan's old hunting bow, are also very interesting. I have an old leather grip bow with a similar raised arrow but have never able to put a name with the bow. Did Stan make this bow? If so, what was Stan's last name?
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Originally posted by Wade Phillips:
lolvo240 -
Nice photographs !
The radiused recurve, yew T/D with rawhide back in the archery tackle box, looks a lot like some of the 1940s Easton bows with the exception of the grip wrapping not being pigskin, lack of circular leather strike plate, semi-notched shelf, and lack of the Easton branding. The aluminum nock arrows from this box also look a lot like Eastons, but most of the higher end target arrows from that era looked pretty similar.
The last two images of Stan's old hunting bow, are also very interesting. I have an old leather grip bow with a similar raised arrow but have never able to put a name with the bow. Did Stan make this bow? If so, what was Stan's last name?
I've looked the bows over a few times and can't find any identifying brand marks on them (not even poundage) or the arrows. Google image search has failed me so far, but I'll try again when I have more time. I think his last name might have been Maple. At this point, I suspect that the arrows might indeed be handmade, as my uncle showed me another large chest of arrow-making supplies that he had used, featuring what seemed to be pieces of the wood inlay, unfinished shafts of various lengths and weights (including what looked like a few exceptionally pointy unfinished target arrows from that set), ancient containers of cresting paint, a paperclip box with some spare aluminum nocks and field points in it, razors, and various paper bags of feathers for fletching. One of the bags had feathers in it that match the ones on the target arrows.
That's "next year's present" though...
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Very very Nice!
A family heirloom to be treasured and taken care of. Even with my glasses I cannot make out all the story which was printed and given to you. Can you clarify the date.....
I'm sure your looking forward to next year!
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A transcript of what's on the notes, complete with unnecessary punctuation:
“Caveat Emptor: This is VERY old. We don’t know whether it is too brittle to shoot or not. Ask someone who would know. Proceed with caution.
The Story: This is Peggy Hamlin Maple’s archery stuff. It is probably from the late ’30’s. Stan was a member of the Seattle Bowmen. He and some buddies went to the Olympics and cut a bunch of yew (hauled out on foot). So this bow is made of local yew, probably backed with rawhide. The socket appears to be hand-made. Arrows are hand-made of —> over —> Port Orford cedar, trimmed with beefwood inset. The aluminum nocks (also handmade) were crafted from Boeing surplus that they acquired somehow. Stan also made Peggy the leather wristguard. We’re not sure, but the bow rest appears to be handmade also. The bowstrings of that time were linen. You also have free antique talcum powder and rosin! (and steel wool-?) Stan also cut the feathers for the fletching. AND he made the box. !!!”
For all I know, this might all be true...
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As above, Very Nice!!
Thanks for the post. Very enjoyable pics and read......
Wade
Always enjoy your educational insight!
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Wow! Very nice craftsmanship!
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I shoot a selfbow made for my father when he was seventeen years old. The next year he joined the Navy and went off to fight … the Empire of Japan.
That's right – I regularly shoot a bow that is seventy-one years old. It shoots like a dream. It's the one in my avatar photo at left.
I bought an old handmade arrow case from a guy out in Oregon a few months ago. His father was active in archery out there at the very same time your great uncle was. I'll dig up his contact info and send it to you if I can find it again.
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Originally posted by eidsvolling:
I shoot a selfbow made for my father when he was seventeen years old. The next year he joined the Navy and went off to fight … the Empire of Japan.
That's right – I regularly shoot a bow that is seventy-one years old. It shoots like a dream. It's the one in my avatar photo at left.
I bought an old handmade arrow case from a guy out in Oregon a few months ago. His father was active in archery out there at the very same time your great uncle was. I'll dig up his contact info and send it to you if I can find it again.
Cool! I would love to talk with him if possible. When I get some time, I'm going to take them up to some place like Nock Point and get them looked at from a safety perspective. The larger one is very stiff, and I'm not entirely sure if it's due to high poundage or brittleness at this point. The smaller one is a bit less stiff, but I don't want to risk stringing it until I get it checked out... and get a new string for it. Linen may be authentic, but those strings are 60+ years old...
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Originally posted by lolvo240:
Cool! I would love to talk with him if possible.
Sent you a private message here a few hours ago with his contact info.
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Just beautiful, thanks for sharing!
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What a treasure...the trad archer's travel gear!
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Very Sweet! A treasure.
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Wow! What an impressive collection of archery artifacts! Knowing some of the history makes it that much better! Thanks for sharing.
Bernie
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I really like that old stuff like yours. It's even better than getting a new bow.
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A great story and a piece of family and archery history! Thx for excellent pictures.
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Update on the old bows!!!
Over the past few days, I've been able to string and (gently) start working the smaller bow up towards a full draw. It feels like it pulls about thirty pounds, maybe a bit more. Right now, I've got it stretchy enough so that I can get almost to full draw without feeling like I'm going to break it, and I think it will be only a few more sessions before I can shoot it safely. That just leaves the quandary of finding a place to shoot it where I won't ruin any of those beautiful arrows...
(http://i.imgur.com/BR0vQUp.jpg)
One odd thing I did notice was that it came with three strings... only two of which fit. The first string is obviously well-used, with a little fraying around the ends of the serving. The second string looks newer, and has darker-colored serving. The other string is exactly as long as the bow, and can just barely be strung around the nocks without applying any tension. Any idea what this could be? A stringer? Perhaps a string for the other (slightly larger) bow?
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Thanks for sharing the pictures. What a treasure you were gifted with. I have recently been bitten with the vintage bow bug and seeing your post makes me realize that I really need one!.
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Very nice hand made archery tackle from yesteryear, preserved very well by someone who respected it's quality. Not to mention the fact that it was owned and used by a relative. That's as good as it gets in the world of Collecting.
What a treasure!!!!!!!
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Originally posted by TRAP:
Very nice hand made archery tackle from yesteryear, preserved very well by someone who respected it's quality. Not to mention the fact that it was owned and used by a relative. That's as good as it gets in the world of Collecting.
What a treasure!!!!!!!
X2 :archer2:
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Very cool! What a treasure!
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I'm still debating as to whether I should actually shoot this beautiful bow. On the one hand, I recently got my draw length measured and confirmed that, at 26", it fits to the bow and arrows; the bow itself feels nice and springy and seems to want to be shot; and I've learned how to make flemish strings so I should be able to whip up a string for it. On the other hand, it IS an antique selfbow, and I don't know if it has ever been dry fired, overdrawn, or otherwise compromised. I showed it to some buddies of mine when I first got it, and was immediately told not to shoot/string it (even though at that point I had already done so previously out of curiosity and done a few test draws with an arrow) because yew gets brittle with age, and that I would need to make an exact replica string and use it at the exact same draw length and brace height as the original owner had used or it would shatter on me, how I must never leave it out in the sun, get it too hot or too cold, or wet at all, that I must never feed it after midnight, and various other things that just sound way too finicky, even for this bow.
So, questions:
Given the condition of the bow (no noticeable flaws in the finish, no visible cracks or splits, no twist that I can see, feels nice and resilient), would it be shootable if I made a new string for it? The two shorter strings that came with it are about an inch different in length - would I want to go with making a string as long as the longer one, and just twist it up like a normal dacron string? Would the string necessarily have to be made of linen, or can yew bows stand up to B-50 strings? Is brace height really so incredibly crucial for this type of bow? Is it a good idea to do some test shots at partial draw after exercising the bow gradually for a bit first? Or should I just put aside these uncertainties, make a new string as close to the original as possible, and just go from there?
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The tiller on that bow is amazing! That is truly a piece of art.
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I own two Yew wood self bows and one of them blew up while in the process of drawing the arrow back. Yew is a very forgiving and smooth shooting bow wood but no where near as tough as Osage. Personally, with that bow being recurved and with the beautiful string grooves ... I would not chance it and I'm typically a guy who believes in using his equipment. Your set with the beautiful box and arrows and being so complete would bring enjoyment for years without pulling it back. Food for thought. If you break it, ... its just not the same, EVER.
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I'm with Vince!
Once it's broke it is never the same..... Your very fortunate to have received it. It is one thing to attempt to shoot an old bow that you find in a shop but completely another thing to have been given the opportunity to care for and some day pass on something of personal value with known history attached.
My experience is that some of the old bows can be shot for a while but most come apart as they age. I have had more then several blow up coming to full draw that appeared to be sound! Anymore if I run into a nice old selfbow I hang it for the visual and historical enjoyment....
Then again, the bow belongs to you and the choice is yours :)
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Sometimes I think more has been forgotten about making selfbows than has been retained or relearned in the last few decades. This bow is an excellent example of that.
As much as I like and advocate shooting old bows, I wouldn't risk it with this one. You have a genuine treasure in that set.