California style atlatl

[swamp monkey]

This atlatl replica is based off a find near Susanville California.  It was a 29" piece of willow that had a spur and two indentations where the fingers would insert into finger loops.  The loops and binding were not found with the atlatl shaft.  This is a faithful reproduction of the wood.  Hot coals were used to burn out the spur.  That did not work EXACTLY like I hoped.  I burned a little more off the sides than I meant to and burned off some of the spur.  Learned a little something about coal size and blowing. 

Thanks for looking.

[Traxx]

Do you have a link or reference to the finding of this original?
I am From the Susanville area,and had not heard of this find.

[swamp monkey]

Sorry, for the delay.  I got really busy, really fast.

The answer to your question about the source is an American Antiquity  article by Franklin Fenenga and Robert F. Heizer. 1941. Page134 -143.  The article is entitled The origin and Authenticity of an atlatl and an atlatl dart from Lassen County, California.  The article has the specs for a willow atlatl, and the dart remnant. 

[gigmaster]

That's just too cool!