Richard, it looks like I made you join the TradGang!? Thats fine!
But I truly hope it wasn't because you felt the need to defend yourself, your father or Mr. Jeter, on this subject!?
As I wrote - and also did so on my homepage (though it's all German over there) - I consider this bow as "holy grail of trad archery". I suppose only very few bows can compete(*) with it and as far as popularity is concerned it might be the most known bow on Earth. Billions of people should have seen that particular movie! And of course, it was always one of my own favorites too!
(*) "
Simba Blood" or "
Grandpa" & "
Grandma" ... and what else?!
From the letters you have, can you tell where in the movie this bow is shown? Somewhere I have a pic with Basil Rathbone (in full armor) and Howard Hill who is showing him how to handle a bow or something. That bow is backed with bamboo. Certainly makes sense. Bows at the set were probably very light so that every person was able to perform a full draw.
I can not remember to have seen a yew bow in the movie - but it's some time ago I last saw it. My brother has the DVD. I will borrow it next time and will go through it - frame by frame if needed - to see if I can identify this very bow! It should be possible because of the knots ...
Can you tell something about lenght and weight of that bow? Was it retired because of any damage to it or better not to risk any on it?
If you don't find someone else, I will take care of it for free - absolutely no problem! And I do have lots of dust and dark places at hand - it will feel at home!
:D
Cheers,
Falk
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BTW: I received the Cliff Coe book and the Grizzlys the day before yesterday - thanks again!