Very OLD self bow! Any ideas?

[Larry m]

Picked this up recently.
Length is 72 1/2", Top limb to grip is 34", Bottom limb to grip is 32", Back of bow @ grip is 1", Limb tips are 1/2", 12" from top limb is 1/2", 12" from bottom limb tip is 5/8". There are #s on the lower limb tip. (could be lbs?) Not sure of the wood, possibly osage? Who ever made this knew what they were doing. This is a nice old bow. I'm guessing early 1900's. Would like to know more. Any ideas???  

[d. ward]

well I'am going to go out on a limb here Larry out on a limb ? I could have come up with a better one then that.
Your bow looks like lemon wood to me plus it looks like maybe the grip was added on over what may have been the original grip ? the bow looks somewhat like a 40's 50's style Woodcraft York ? Pearson-ish.I am not one for removing those type old grips to see if there is the original under there.But sometimes the grip style wraps are the only way I can ID some bows bd

[Liquid Amber]

I've handled a number of selfbows from the 1880s and forward over the years.  There is evolution in style that kinda' places them in time.  I agree with bowdoc on the time period and wood.  The use of horn on nocks begins to leave the scene about 1940 or so.  Lemonwood use continued until these bows left the scene.  

The wooden pieces glued on the back of the handle is called a "grasp" and have been around for at least 150 years.  They are added for comfort and not stiffening of the handle.  It looks to me the grip is original but if not, it was a nice "re-do."  

The carved string nock grooves look sorta crude, like maybe it had originally held horn nocks and re-done, which is not uncommon.  The numbers on the back of the tip likely eliminate this thought.  I cannot remember seeing one marked in this manner and at least from my experience is somewhat unusual.

All in all a nice representative piece from that period.

It would pass for my Highfield if it had horn nocks.

[Bjorn]

I'd say there are similarities
 
 
Mine has cast metal nocks, which your may have had
 
Handles look the same except yours are complete
 
A lot of these bows from that era are similar-IMO these are more than that
 
This bow was made by California By Products
of Broadhead fame.

[Larry m]

bd, Thanks for going out on that limb!
Cliff and Bjorn
Thanks Guys for the info and photo's.
These old bows just fascinate the heck out of me.
If they could tell stories of where they have been, my mind and imagination can only wander to. Cliff your very fortunate, to hold and look closely at a bow from the 1880's would certainly be something. Appreciate It......

[Liquid Amber]

Allow me to change my earlier appraisal.  After looking over my file photos and these era bows I have, I don't think we can place this bow as neatly as I first thought.  

Unless the bow is found with some markings that can be identified, the best I'd be willing to wager on would be from 1880-1940/50.  These type bows were made earlier but I choose the date 1880 which is about the time Maurice Thompson began popularizing archery through his articles and book.  It's probably safe to say late 1880s/early 1900s.  I'd not wager against it.

Those California By-Products bows are nice collectables.

[Larry m]

Hi Cliff
Thank You for your update. I have a late 30's Earl Grubbs,  a late 40's Grumley and a late 50's Pearson. This bow to me just looks older in design and make. There are some very worn marks just below the right side of the grip. I'll post some pic's tomorrow. If you look close and feel the belly of this bow you can see and feel draw knife marks. If you would like a specific shot please let me know.   Bd, I don't feel comfortable trying to open up the grip for a closer look. I don't believe I have the talent to put it back together. Thanks Again