New Guinea Kids Bow

[gstoneberg]

The other day I rediscovered an old bow out in the garage that I've had for several years.  It occurred to me today that it's the most primitive bow I have.  Thought it might be interesting to some folks.
 
Several years ago my nephew went on a missions trip to New Guinea.  After he got home he dropped off a bow and arrow set he was given by the natives where he was at.  It was a very nice gesture.   He told me it was a childs bow, and it came with 7 arrows.  3 were damaged in one of our moves.  Sadly, one of the damaged arrows was a bird point with multiple hardwood points.  Each arrow is made of reed with a long hardwood foreshaft.  The reed is wrapped with sinew at the point junction and the hardwood extends into the reed about 3".  There are no feathers or visible nock.  The bow is roughly oval in shape and a little over 50" long.  The "string" is split bamboo.  I have never tried to draw the bow more than an inch or 2.  I don't know if my nephew did while he was over there or not.  Here are some pictures.






George

[Cameroo]

That's an interesting set, thanks for sharing!

[beetlebailey1977]

Very nice set....glad you shared the photos.  I have heard that those bows will dry out a lot in our lower humidity compared to the tropical regions.  Maybe not shoot the same or such.

[mullet]

 Cool bow. I'd like to try making a bamboo string.

[LEGIONNAIRE]

Nice! the original stuff I see

[Pat B]

What a nice primitive archery treasure. That's the real thing!!!     I have a crossbow made of mahogany with a thick plant fiber string. I figured the Philippians or Southeast Asia. Never shot it and never will. I love old bows!!!...but I like new ones too!  

[Postman]

good stuff -that string is sometjhin'.... thanks for sharing!
 Pat-  there is a crossbow like that on the wall at a vietnamese place near me  - i should get some pics of it next time i get a bowl of pho noodles.