Help ID-hinged-handle takedown-brush nocks

[Rick Enos]

Just picked this bow up at a sale & not sure of the maker.Thought I'd post a couple of pics and see if anyone could ID it.
 
 
 
 
 

[Wade Phillips]

Barney Grenier Hinge... first made in the 1940s. Barney was one of the early Michigan bowmen, hunted with Fred Bear and Nels Grumley. Nels used Barney's hinge on at least two Bear Grumley bows. The hinge is uncommon, but not rare. The Bank Vault movement of the original Grenier Hinge is a masterful piece of engineering and craftsmanship.

No idea about the bow. Looks homemade.

[Novaln1975]

That’s the same hinge Wade posted a few days ago.

Cool stuff.

 http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=14;t=002897

Simon

[Wade Phillips]

Simon - Thanks so much for finding that link so quickly... I will re-post the photograph as it has long been a favorite...

Bowmen sharing the warmth of a fire and their friendships, hunting in the St. Helen area 1940, left to right hinge inventor Barney Grenier; Michelangelo of Bowyers Nels Grumley; old time bowman Bill Loomis and Greatest Bowhunter of all time Fred Bear. Original unused 1940s Grenier Bow Hinge lower right corner.

   

[Rick Enos]

Novaln,Thanks Nice thread Wade.

[Rick Enos]

Hink or Razorhead.Any ideas.....

[johnnyrazorhead]

Rick- No suggestions here.So many people made their own equipment back then it's hard to say.I've had bows that were not made by Nels Grumley but came from old time Michigan archers that obviously knew him.The bows they made were very similar in many ways to one of Nels' bows but they were obviously not made by him.Similar brush nocks,trapezoidal limbs,finely wrapped leather grip.I imagine they picked Nels' brain a bit back in his workshop at Bear Archery and asked for his help in making a bow,especially if they were novice bowmakers.Kinda like Gary Davis here in Michigan or other talented bowyers,willing to show them some tricks of the trade.The Grenier hinge is a "Detroit" made item so I imagine this bowyer possibly knew the same group of guys such as Nels,Fred,Tracy Stalker,etc...

[Rick Enos]

The tips are just to nice to be made by a novice bow maker.There are no grooves in the brush knock its flat with some felt on them.Thanks John....I emailed you today----

[Rick Enos]

Wade,That picture above is just awsome.I'm going to try & copy it.Thanks again.....

[Shaun]

I love the "shelter" in that photo - a tarp suspended on trees and poles to cut the wind. Classic old time picture.

That's fine old bow too. It shows the influence of Grumley et al from the early Bear wood laminate bows but I also believe its a home made bow. Looks like walnut and either osage or lemonwood lams.

Are the brush nocks walnut or yew?

[Rick Enos]

Not real sure on the tips.Dont think its yew...

[frank bullitt]

Great pic! My question is who took it, timer delay? Got to love them old Static recurves! Good shootin, Steve, nice find Rick!

[Wade Phillips]

Rick - From your post, I understand there is no string groove in the brush nocks. Is there a string groove along the sides of the tip, or are they just straight? Looks like the tips are really small with just a hint of a string groove on the back of the bow.

Shaun - Yes, the shelter in the 1940 St. Helen photograph is a true classic. But then, nearly every item in the photograph is a classic in its own right. Although there are several photographs of Fred and Nels together, this one is certainly one of the best & my favorite.  

Frank - I don't know who took the 1940 St. Helen photograph. That may be an empty seat around the campfire between Fred and the bows. Looks like there are a couple of towels and two cups on what may be a stump or perhaps rectangular can. Hard to see in this image but a little clearer  the original photograph.

[Rick Enos]

Yes,There are string grooves starting double at the tip & reducing down to one as it goes down the brushnock.I didn't catch that, the  felt is covering them.Wade you are very good at detail....The grooves are very patite & very well done...

[Rick Enos]

Feelin pretty silly on that one....Here is a closer pic.