Walt & Ken Wilhelm's Bows & Arrows

[Cody Roiter]

Hello Guys, I been thinking about gettig back to the roots of trad archery. I was thinking I would like to make and hunt with an all wood bow and wood arrows with a self nock. Also thinking who stuff I wanted to copy for what I will call the back to roots archery Hunt next fall. So Now I  was thinkin  I would like to copy a Bow from the Welhelm's Bro's There bows and arrows and would like to see some pics of there bow's And there arrow's and any spec's on both. Also I am going to wearing wool. no camo at all.

Thank's for your help..

Cody

[JavelinaHink]

Hello Cody,  Here is one of Walt's arrows that you can see his style. He made his own heads in different shapes and this is one of them.Don't think I have one of there bows but I'll look..Bill
 

 

[d. ward]

Thanks Bill thats a great arrow and broadhead.I've seen there films and those guy's were something else...bd

[Cody Roiter]

thnaks Bill, That look's to be the old Mid-Nock.

[JavelinaHink]

Thanks Don,I feel fortunate to have their arrows for sure and that goes for alot of others also.I have two darts with small hand made heads and feathers that they used in blow tubes, there cool. I have to see the film they made to see if they used it in it.They are signed by Walt in around 8" long.....Bill

[JavelinaHink]

Cody...I believe that was ...and Ken's arrow as a Alum. nock...Bill

[d. ward]

I was also thinking Ken's were aluminum nocked arrows...bd

[JavelinaHink]

Yep....Here's Ken's..

 

[Falk]

posted by cody roiter:
... I been thinking about gettig back to the roots of trad archery. I was thinking I would like to make and hunt with an all wood bow and wood arrows with a self nock.

Back to the roots? Hmmm ...

I once stood infront of one of these. I would guess it was as good as it gets. Sadly, I only had half an hour to admire the exhibition, but I got shivers and goose bumps when face to face with Ötzi ("the Iceman") and his belongings ...

His bow was in state of a (probably floor tillered) stave only. We can assume he was in the process to replace his recently broken bow. However, from my own Yew bows I guestimated the finished bow would be well over 70#    unless he wanted to reduce it lots more. And the skinny fellow would barely reach my shoulder height if standing errected    

Flint tipped arrows with some feathers still in place! The points were set in fore shafts to replace them as needed and save the shaftment in doing so. All this was very very cool stuff indeed. I whish I had been allowed to take photos ...

Lots of literatur and publications about Ötzi should be available nowadys. You might try to copy his stuff if you want to go "full circle" with your project ...?!?

[Wade Phillips]

Falk - Yes, Ötzi, "the Iceman" is the most interesting discovery of our time about an old bowman. We may be going to Udine, Italy this summer. If so will go to the museum as we have wanted to see him since his discovery in 1991.

How far are you from Udine, Italy?

[Wade Phillips]

Bill & BowDoc - My Ken Wilhelm arrow has an early plastic Mid-Noc, nicely handmade fir shaft that still has faintly noticeable flats, circa 1935. I traded an identical arrow to Joe as he did not have a Ken Wilhelm arrow & wanted one to put with his Walt Wilhelm arrow. Both are now on display at the P&Y Museum. Bill, I have a Walt Wilhelm arrow similar to yours with a longer head. I have 2 of Ken's broadheads and 3 of Walt's, a total of six Wilhelm broadheads are shown in "Broadheads 1971-1971 Identification and Rarity Guide, Second Edition".

[Cody Roiter]

Thank's guys, for all the great info.

Cody

[JavelinaHink]

Wade,
When you get across the pond bring me back one of Ötzi arrows, make sure you take some traders.

"Walt's" Yep...I knew yours where longer blades then the one I have, I think I sent you a picture when I picked it up for your updated book.....Bill

[Falk]

Wade,
Udine is 500 miles south from here (as the crow flies). But, if you happen to be closer to my place, you are most welcome for dinner, sundowner and some philosophic talk. We may be able to shot an arrow or two also!?

Just let me know,
Falk

[Wade Phillips]

Falk - Thank you for the invitation. It will be early summer before we know our plans. Will keep in touch. - Wade

JavelinaHink - They may not even let me into the museum if they know I am one of those crazy collectors...