Roy Case The Thompsons

[Stringfollow]

I was wondering if anyone had any photo's of Roy Case or the Will and Maurice Thompson at full draw,I'm interested in seeing how old-time archers anchored before shooting.

[Lamont Granger]

I shot the Wisconsin Bowhunters broadhead shoot at Necedah in '67 with Roy Case and his son.  Sure wish I would have gotten a picture.  I can't even remember  how he anchored or shot, long time ago.  Lamont

[Liquid Amber]

Will and Maurice, as did most archers back then, anchored under the chin.  

Case, Nagler, Folberth and most of their era did as well; at least the photos I have or seen, show them anchoring under the chin on both target and game.

Case was involved in archery a long time and his anchor may have moved up to the side of his face later.

[Stringfollow]

Thanks fo the info,I'm addicted to shooting wooden selfbows and I'm like to try different shooting styles to see what works best for different situations,just trying to pick up a few pointers from the legends.

[Yule08]

here's a picture of R. Case.  As Cliff noted an under the chin anchor......

[Yule08]

probably also worth noting bow looks nearly vertical, upright posture, head erect and back, the slightly bent bow arm w/ elbow rolled down and the open grip on the bow......
Yule

[Liquid Amber]

Old Roy in "The Bow and Arrow for Big Game" by Forrest Nagler.  Nagler shot the small way.

How they anchored isn't that important...."why" they anchored the way they did is the deal.  Now, both the Thompson boys and Case/Nagler anchored the same, but for two different reasons.

Don't misunderstand me, Stringfollow posed a very good question, but every time it comes up, I wait for someone to ask, what should be the obvious [to me] next question....why?  It rarely happens, as most of us are satisfied with how and not the why.  

Now, I'm sort of a skeptic with a strong curiosity...my wife call me peculiar.  I'm sure my old daddy became tired of me asking, "Why?"  
 
Same basic anchor for the Thompsons and Case/Nagler, but for two different reasons.  What are they?

[Stringfollow]

Just a guess,the Thompsons anchored low for better arrow alinement as their bows had no cut out arrow rest.Case and Nagler anchored low so they could shoot longer distances,and or they could pull stronger bows this way.

[Liquid Amber]

The Thompson's shot "point of aim."

Case, Nagler and others of their era shot with sights.

Both methods work best with low anchors.

[Stringfollow]

That makes alot of sence,did not know that Case,Nagler,ect.shot with sights while hunting. Thanks for sharing that info.I am a little confused however with the Thompsons shooting point of aim,in The Witchery of Archery page 154 it says '' ...while the thumb of the drawing hand grazes against the upper part of the right ear.'' also there is an illistration on the next page showing an archer drawing in this manner.There is on page 265 a similar discription,'' Look straight an hard at the centre of the target's gold,but do not even glance at your arrow.There is no such thing as taking aim with an arrow.He is a bungling archer who attempts it.Hoping you can clear up my confusion.Thanks

[Liquid Amber]

“I began shooting eighteen years ago, using all four of the fingers of the right hand to draw the string, holding the arrow between the forefinger and thumb.”  Will Thompson

I don't do well with confusion.  

In all things there is an evolution.  Will and Maurice began shooting the Sioux lock [note the above quote by Will], the same method Compton taught Young, Pope and others.  It's a low anchor; just look at Young in some of his photos drawn.

When the hermit Thomas took them in tow and taught the boys the English method, they most likely changed to the split-finger.  This draw is easier to move up the face than the Sioux lock.  It is also easy to shoot low with this release.  

Maurice notes in several places that in "point blank" or short range, he moves his hand up "near the ear," even on targets.  At further distances he moved the anchor down low, taking advantage of "point of aim" at distance.  Both were adept at changing their anchors based on circumstance.  

I have a copy of a sketch Maurice did showing an archer drawing and pointing at an elevated target out of sight.  Based upon the dress and all, the archer is likely afield.  The drawing hand is low, under the chin.  If it not for copyright issues I'd post it here, but I don't have permission from the family to do so.

Now, holding a high anchor or draw takes more effort and strength than a low, under the chin.  As both became older, they anchored low because of strength issues; Will due to the fact he accidentally shot himself in the elbow in British Columbia which cause him a great loss of strength in his bow arm.

So, to do the best I can about the confusion, there is no "one" right answer nor any "wrong" answer.  

[Rick Enos]

I've tried shooting under the chin & it works really well.guideing the pulling hand under your chin when the string touches your lips & the tip of your nose(2 anchor points) its ready to fly.Very very consistant.

[Stringfollow]

Thanks Liquid Amber,I think when I read about shooting syles I tend to think it's (carved in stone)that this is exactly how a person shoots always,in every situation and that is probably wrong to think that way.I know I change the way I shoot many times,trying to find one method that works the best for every situation,but now you have given me another way to look at it.Maybee that is why the old-time archers where quite good in their shooting,they kept an open mind and changed their shooting to fit the shot or weight of the bow ,or distance ect..  Thanks Rick for the tips,I've tried anchoring under the chin,but not with 2 anchor points,something else I can try.