Gut Backing?

[sadiejane]

theres an "indian" shop outside kc.
the fella that owns the store has been trading with local native folks for many yrs
and collecting native artifacts from many sources for 50+ yrs.
in the back of the shop is a room full of his collected items.
he has an amazing collection and numerous old bows.
one is a shortie, maybe 40 in or so.
it is completely covered in some animal gut.
it appears, after the bow was finished, the maker slid it into a full gut "tube".
then let the gut dry like rawhide. it fits tight like shrink wrap.
the only part of the bow not covered is the last cupla inches of each tip.
the ends of the gut tube are wrapped with what appears to be sinew.
it also appears to be sinewed under the gut.
it is a wonderous thing to feast yr eyes upon.
have no info regarding time period, nation nor if this was ever a real working bow.
tho i have seen it strung and pulled gently...
often think about that bow and have taken trips there just to look and hold it again.
reckon i oughta take my camera next i go over there.

[PatM]

Have a quick read and mark this page before the mods yank it for not being a sponsor. http://www.performaxxstrings.com/natural_gut_story.html

[randman]

Yes sir, I may have to go buy some natural sausage casings at the store and try this shrink wrap method on my next sinew bow.

[DuBois]

Did anyone ever try this yet?

[Carson (CMB)]

I played around with squirrel gut for thread, and let me just add that if you are collecting and preparing the gut yourself, be sure to get that stuff cleaned as soon as possible.  Get it rinsed thoroughly immediately, otherwise bacterial decay will cause weak spots.   The casing idea sounds pretty cool.  Will have to try that one.