Abner Shepherdson - Longbows - Information

[hardbern]

Apart from his patent application (US1396788 & related links) I haven't been able to find any info. about this chap, apart from recently when it is suggested that the bow "Mad" Jack Churchill used in WWII on commando raids & to kill a German sentry was a Shepherdson (yew) carriage bow
(although in the past it has been suggested it was a steel bow by Seefab or an early custom bow by Accles & Pollock (Apollo)).
Can anyone point me at sources of information about him, please?
Of particular interest is:
- did he actually made (carriage)bows?
  (any pics details available)
- did he go into production or just do on-demand/custom carriage bow handles;
- did he supply handles for other bowyers to use
(could Dick Galloway have used one these to even create Jack's bow?)

[Liquid Amber]

From my article "Silent, flashless weapons," published in the Dec/Jan 2010 TBM.

     "Accounts vary some on the particulars but Churchill, early in his deployment behind the Siegfried Line, apparently launched an arrow into a group of Germans one night.  The results of this shot have never been officially validated, but according to a fellow officer in attendance, it caused a great commotion, suggesting a hit may have been scored.
     "Later, on May 27, 1940 a British Patrol entered the town of L’Epinette lead by Capt. Churchill.  Although dressed in the combat olive drab of the British Soldier, the English long bow and broad-headed arrows he carried would have been more at home on a warrior from another era.   His bow was a 100# beast made by the London bowyer Purle.
     "After entering L’Epinette the patrol quietly took up position in a farmhouse.  Capt. Churchill was observing the town from a loft when he spotted a small group of German soldiers approaching.  Quietly he summoned two members of his patrol armed with Enfields and gave them strict orders.  Capt. Churchill was going to shoot the soldier in the center and only, after he had done so, they to shoot the soldiers on both sides of his target.  His arrow sped true and penetrated the chest of the German soldier and he fell to the ground and the two with the Enfields concluded their part."

This event is recorded in Gordon Grimley's "Book of the Bow."

[Liquid Amber]

Target Archer - Elmer, 1946
     
     "About the time of the World War Abner Shepherdson of Melrose, Massachusetts, patented the take-apart handle–or so he thought.  As I had seen them on Belgian bows in 1911 and Ford mentioned them in 1856, I could not imagine how he had obtained a patent on something which had been in common use for so long.  The mystery was solved when he invited investigation by offering the patent for sale at a price in four figures.  Reference to the original papers showed that all he had was a patent on a pin and slot to keep the joint from turning.  To avoid infringement, therefore, it was only necessary to make the ends of the billets interlock or to make the sleeves in any shape but round." [pg. 195]

Shepherdson was certainly capable of making high poundage yew ELBs.

Archery - Elmer - 1926

     “In the Special, or pedominal, style Dr. Crouch used a yew bow made by Shepherdson which weighted a full 150 pounds.  I tried to pull it with my hands and could scarcely budge the string but Dr. Crouch is such a splendid athlete that he drew the cord nearly to the full, holding it in the ordinary manner.
     
“While he made 311 yards six inches and thereby set a new record, neither he nor Shepherdson was satisfied that the full capabilities of the instrument had been demonstrated.  A light flight arrow was used and the effect was too suggestive of hitting a pea with a baseball bat.  It seemed as though either a short but light arrow should be used in a trough, as with the Oriental bows, or else a full length arrow should be made heavier.  In the former case there is a suggestive approach to the crossbow, which is against the spirit of archery.” [pg. 363]

[hardbern]

Thanks for the info. will have a read of Grimley,
...interesting supposed to be made by Purle (I wonder if with a Shepherdson handle?).
Elmer's '52 Target Archery has your 1st quoted para. on P165 & can't find the 2nd para at all in this edition.
On P58 Shepherdson is referred to as a "master bowyer" - but no other references to his work.

[Liquid Amber]

I made corrections to my previous post as to the source on the information about Crouch.

Archery - Elmer - 1926

"11. Abner Shepherdson–artist photographer; master bowyer and fletcher; inventor improved bow-joint and movable bow-sight." [pg. 131]

“The jointed handle, making what Ford called a carriage-bow, but which we call a jointed bow, has been used for a long time in Belgium and France.  In American Abner Shepherdson of Melrose, Mass., has invented and patented a jointed handle and makes a bow to fit it that is not excelled in cast or beauty by any in the world.  It consists of a piece of one and three-sixteenth inches (inside diameter) Shelby steel tubing, four and one-fourth inches long, which is covered with rough leather and held in the hand.  Into each end telescopes a two and three-fourths inch ferrule in which a bow-limb is fitted.” [pg. 240-1]

"... Shepherdson says that a light tip improves the cast as much a swould the addition of several pounds to the bow’s weight, if that were possible."

“I am sure that one of the reasons for the wonderful cast of Shepherdson’s jointed bows is the absolute immobility of the steel handle....” [pg. 252]

“The best strings in America, that I know of , are made by Shepherdson and at my request he very graciously wrote a full description of his method for this book.  It is so complete and perfect that I see no reason for making any comments on it except to give it the praise it deserves.”  [pg. 259-0]

[pg. 288-293] “How To Make A Glued Bowstring”

"It is undoubtedly best to take the time and trouble to make a string with glue in the way Mr. Shepherdson has described, as his home-made strings are the best I have ever seen and as the professionally made strings of Belgium are also laid in glue." [pg. 293]

“Chief among these are McMeen and Sheperdson, both of whom have turned out specimens of the fletcher’s art of such perfection as to entitle them to the highest honor which is within the power of the Archers’ guild to bestow for such work, the degree of Master Fletcher.” [pg. 324]

"... Shepherdson uses a steel wheel covered with sandpaper, or perhaps garnet paper, which cuts perfectly.  I have seen him make a shaft in about a minute, giving the final taper of the shaftment by turning the handle which sets the cutting wheel a little closer to the wood." [pg.325]

[Tox Collector]

Liquid Amber - I have a carriage bow made about that time and obtained from the Boston area - however; there is no identification of the maker on the bow.  Do you know if Shepardson imprinted his name on his bows?  Of course, a name could be under the handle wrap, which I have not removed.

[Liquid Amber]

I have never seen a bow of Shepherdson.  He likely made only a few for himself and friends.  He was a noted photographer and artist, born in 1869 in Michigan.  He father was a former Governor of Michigan and well off.  Archery was a hobby.and his real skill was as a fletcher, which is what he is generally remember for.  

I don't believe he made any bows for Capt. Jack.  It makes little sense with all those fine bowyers located in England and surrounding countries during that period.  Carriage bows weren't such a novelty that Capt. Jack would have ordered one from Shepherdson.  I've yet to determine when Shepherdson died, but he disappeared from the archery scene well before WWII.  He was President of the NAA and active for a number of years during the early 1920s.

Shepherdson Photography was located in Melrose, Mass.  Melrose was a hotbed of noted artists and a number were active in archery.

I own Shepherdson's copy of the 1887 edition of Ford's book, signed and inscribed by his good friend and fellow archer, Samuel G. McMeen.

[hardbern]

Other names that may be associated with Shepherdson are Dr. Crouch (who purportedly shot a one of his bows & his early de-mountable sights).
Also Edward Frentz was making (yew) longbows in Melrose, Mass. at the same time.
Who accredited a "master bowyer" in the US at that time?
Other enquiries are ongoing in checking provenance/identification of Jack's bow was made Shepherdson.

[hardbern]

I see Mr & Mrs A. Shepherdson were active in the NAA Championships, Mr. being President of the NAA at one point & a vice president a number of times, & both shooting in 1919 & subsequent years.
In 1924:
"After the award of the regular prizes and trophies a special prize was awarded to
P. W. Crouch for his excellent work in the Flight Shoot. This was a fine $50.00 yew
bow made and given by A. E. Shepherdson.
The presiding officer then stated that the National Archery Association wished to
recognize the work which had been done by Louis C. Smith in behalf of the cause of
archery by presenting to him a magnificent 50 pound yew bow which was made by
A. E. Shepherdson of Melrose, Mass. "
(from History of the NAA Vol 1 1879-1945, P262 or PDF-Page356))

[hardbern]

Could this be a/the Sheperdson bow awarded as prize?
Handle looks similar to that of patent although difficult to tell....
   

[Liquid Amber]

Rhode's "History of the NAA" is a great reference.

Is Dr. Crouch's bow in the photo one by Shepherdson?  It looks to be a carriage bow.  Crouch was given one.  Probably a good chance.

My question to you is this.  What information do you have that suggests Capt. Jack had a bow made by Shepherdson?

[hardbern]

I personally have none, the latest (investigative) work was done by Nils Visser & Richard Hornsby as part of a study of Jack Churchill (as archer rather than war hero) & the bow was shown on TV in the UK last week as part of the BBC's "Antiques Roadshow", currently owned by Carol Edwards (née Pearce).
The bow was apparently given to Jack by a Senator Gogarty in 1938 (written on the bow bag) & on the upper limb is "Sheperdson 57 @ 26in". A relative (nephew)of Jack sold the bow to Carol & said it was the bow he took to Franc & shot at Germans with. They are going to revisit the bow, take more pictures & measurements.

[Liquid Amber]

That's pretty interesting.

I assume "you" misspelled [Sheperdson] Abner's name [Shepherdson]?  I noticed you have done so more than once.  How is it spelled on the bow?  

Interesting also, is the limb marking, "57 @ 26in."  I don't recall seeing many bows of that vintage with the draw length recorded, most simply give the draw weight by itself.  I must admit I've not examined many bows from the 1930s and am curious when the practice of marking the bow "26 @ 26in" became common.  And, is the bow limb marked in ink or stamped?

Grimley published his book in 1958 and claimed the bow was made by Purle.  I've found the bulk of Grimley's account to be validated elsewhere and have no reason to discount his claim on the bow used by Capt Jack.  

I would think, someone with the masculine personality of Capt. Jack probably wouldn't carry a "girly" bow of #52 into battle.  A manly bow of 100# would seem to fit his mould better.      

Now, don't get the impression I'm trying to discount the possibility of the bow being Capt. Jack's.  I don't have an agenda either way.  Sometimes an event or item doesn't show all the proper credentials at "first glance" and the "blurred" parts must be dealt with one by one, eliminated or retained as "possible."

[Liquid Amber]

We actually have several items here.

1. Is the bow a Shepherdson?

2. Did it belong to Capt. Jack?

3. If yes to the above, is it the bow he killed the German with during WWII?

The answer to #3 is probably no, based upon historical accounts recorded in 

"The Bowmen of England" by Donald Featherstone, Grimley's "Book of The Bow" and others.

Capt. Jack shot in the Word Archery Championship in Oslo in 1939.  He most likely didn't use a 100# bow.  A 52# bow would a bow he might have used.

[hardbern]

My finger trouble for spelling.
Markings on bow not described as stamped or writing - will ask (but is described in the French article)
If you give me your email I can send you the articles by Nils & Richard (1 French, 1 Dutch - English is pending).
In Oslo Jack supposedly shot a Seefab steel bow & picture evidence of the event seems to support this. (& to my mind as a durable take-down would seem more likely than Yew, but ....?)but also I believe Accles & Pollock (Apollo) might have produced some prototypes for the commandos.

[Liquid Amber]

It appears that #1 and #2 are  "yes."

I'm going to leave #3 to you folks on the other side of the water to sort out.  

Berny, keep us informed as to the resolution to this mystery.  If you ever get good photos of Shepherdson's bow, maybe you could share them with us.

[Tox Collector]

I contacted this post on the Society of Archer-Antiquaries Forum.  One of our viewers from Denmark mentioned that he has seen a photo of Churchill around 1937-38 where he was shooting either and Accles & Pollockor a Seefab take-down steel-bow.  He also mentioned that Jack wasn't the only "mad soldier" who used a bow and arrow during WWII -- apparently the Danish major Andy Lassen was also a very able archer.

Hugh Soar mentioned that he has several of Jack's bows acquired from his son some years ago.  Three of them are conventional English bows by Aldred but one is an unmarked self lemonwood bow with no bow-maker identifying marks.  However, it is marked PB 80, which may stand for Point Blank at 80 yards.  Hugh also has several of his hunting arrows stained red with Howard Hill type broadheads, which he believes may be U.S. in origin.

Just thought that I would share this with viewers.

[Tox Collector]

E. G. Heath in his book - "Archery - A Military History" on page 214 mentions the following: "Jack Churchill had been a member of the British team in the World Archery Championship at Oslo earlier in 1939, and before embarking for France he had made a powerful yew bow and some hunting arrows.  He first used one of these while on patrol beyond the Maginot Line, the German positions being some sixty yards ahead."

It would make sense that he would use a heavy bow -- whatever poundage that might be - but certainly heavier than 50 some pounds!

[scratchyrick]

Hi Guys just to let you know Nils and I are at this moment working on an English Language version of the articles we wrote about Jacks bow with some additions from our previous French and Duch publications, Please be patient we like to go back primary, as well as personal sources,and still have some references to double check.

Richard

[Nils Visser]

I am somewhat bemused by the remarks concerning "girly" bows.

There is an old Chinese guideline for the proper draw weight of a warbow (meaning, a bow to take to war): Find out what your maximum draw is, then halve that. That is your ideal warbow weight. It means you can draw again and again and again.

I know some very formidable warbow archers, drawing between 130 and 170 pounds. They shoot a round of flight arrows, 10 shots if they have a full English complement of arrows, 12 if it's Dutch. Then they are spent. Sometimes it might be wiser to have a lighter bow?