Looking for info on bowyer Louie Armbruster

[Dick in Seattle]

Some time back, I was lucky enough to get a copy of an old video on bowmaking titled "How to Make a Longbow - and Live to Tell About It". The bowyer was Louie Armbruster, who apparently worked out of Petosi, Wisconsin. The video was made in 1988. Basically, someone just filmed Louie making a bow. There are a number of holes left in the process, which is frustrating, but I was very impressed with him and how he went about his bowmaking.

At the time of the video, he appeared to be in his mid to late 60's. He claimed to have made many thousands of longbows, and he surely did have popping them out down to a system. He called his bows "Zebra Longbows", and they are a basic Hill style.

Watching this video made me think a lot of watching the Dan Quillian video on how to shoot... just very basic, down to earth old guys who had been doing what they did for a lifetime and were willing to share it.

I'm wondering if there are any old timers on here who knew Armbruster, were familiar with his work or have one of his bows. I'd just like to get more info about the guy. Heck, he could still be around, I suppose, though I haven't heard his name in the five years I've been shooting, other than on this video, which I don't even remember where I got... I think in a batch of vids sold on the auction place that were just labeled "archery videos".

Any info appreciated.

[Orion]

Don't know much about Louie.  He did sell his business to a fella by the name of Jim (I think that was his first name.)Duncan, I believe.  He made bows under the Zebra brand for a few years then went out of business as well.  A friend of mine has an Armbruster bow.  Very nice.  70 inches, deflexed, skinny, oval handle not cut very close to center like the old-time Hills.  Don't know if Louie is still alive.

[Falk]

posted by Dick in Seattle:
Any info appreciated.

... okay!

Only thing I can provide is a translation of his surname.
Armbrust is German for Crossbow or Crossbow-man!
This is, Armbruster is the one who either handled or made a crossbow ...
Thought this might be some interesting info - as it is somehow archery related!?

[Blackhawk]

Hi Dick,

I did a search on the other trad site and came up with plenty of good info on Louie.  Like you, I had heard of him but did not know very much.  Reading those past threads gave me a greater appreciation for him and his bows.  Here's a very good thread worth reading:

   http://***********.bowsite.com/TF/lw/thread2.cfm?threadid=177256&category=88#2207119

[Dick in Seattle]

Blackhawk.... thanks loads!    What a fascinating fund of info!   I'm going to add my comment re the video to it and print it out.   Sounds like any of his bows that turned up would be way heavy for me, but I surely benefited from that vid, and I've never heard anyone else even mention its existence.  Too bad it's not still available.

[Barbara Madgett]

Hi Everyone.  I am Louie's daughter.  He is alive and well living in Arizona.  He is now 85 years young and would love to hear from all of you.  His phone is 480-984-3563.  He is quite a gabber.  I would also like to purchase any unwanted Zebra bows that were made by him from 1992 or prior.  He sold the business to Doug Duncan in 1992.

[jcar315]

WOW! What an update on this thread. Glad you Dad is doing well. Take care.

[frank bullitt]

Barbra, glad to hear dad is still around! I have an issue of the Traditonal Archery mag, with an article about him. I just posted to another gentleman about how your dad made some arrows from fir window and door trim.

  He reminds me alot of the gentleman that started me shooting a longbow, and he is in his late 70's. I hope you get alot of responses, you sound very "proud" of your father! Good shootin, Steve

[guzzi2000]

Barbra,one of my highschool teachers at Barron,WI was David Armbruster, any relation?

[stump man]

Barb:
  I have an original Super Grevy, #L79796 Louie built for me back in 1979 or 1980 I believe(original owner, still has my name inked on it by him).  80#@28, 70" long K-K, Bubinga riser and black glass. It's had some miles on it but it is in very good original condition.  Original logo's (zebra, Grevy) and inking are in mint condition.  Most likely the leather grip and finish are original but I'm not sure, I may have re-done them at some point over the years.  Only flaw is the bottom tip overlay (top red part only) has dissapeared.

  It hasn't been strung since probably 1985 as I started building my own bows and going down in draw weight around then.  If it could talk it would have a story or two to tell I'm sure. At least one 5x5 Bull elk taken with it in the 80's.  I Also lost it on a hunt once, as I was hopping accross a jungle of blow downs about 12 feet off the ground I slipped and fell (durn buckskin)and turned loose of the bow in order to catch/save myself. I was on the edge of a very steep thick drop-off. Two hours later I finally found it 150 yards down the hill piled up in a jack pine thicket.  When I fell, It had evidently landed on it's back just right and thought it was the runner of a sled turned loose down that hill, oh boy!. As I recall it was a pretty strange feeling those hours searching, having a Backquiver full of arrows hunting through the woods without a bow.

   Yes, the bow has sentimental value to me as I dust off the cobwebs, look at it and reminise. But I wonder what it could mean to you and Louie? If in any way it would provide sentimental value to a father-daughter relationship, I'm sure it out-weigh's mine.

  I'm not interested in a monetary value,  if it means something between you and your father, it is bigger than me, it is yours for the asking.

[Ricker]

Barb,
Many years ago when I was younger and much stronger I had an 83# Zebra from your Dad and have a picture of me with a few squirrels I shot with it one day...hahaha  imagine out shootin' squirrels with 83 pounds!!!  I guess I just did with what I had at the time.  Good memories me and that bow.
Glad your Pop's is doing well and take care.

Rick

I will never understand why Louie wouldn't sell me that iron wood, he said he had to test it first.  It seemed plenty solid to me.  The purple heart however has killed many deer.  I still sharpen some of my broadheads the way he showed me. I am sure it would fire up a nasty debate on this forum, but when something works, it works.  I didn't think Louie would ever leave the Mississippi bottoms, but then a little change in scenery probably did him good.

[Buckwheaties]

Stumpman,You're a generous man..