I mentioned on another post of a local Algonquin man who made a number of bows and arrows years ago, mostly reproductions. He was quite chatty, something I am not, so anytime I went to visit I had to settle myself in for an earful. He died several months ago and his widow didn't know what to do with all the stuff he had stashed all over the place. He also made violins, which he got into after his bow making days, so much of what he had was kicking around was for that. Anyway she called me a few weeks ago and wanted to know if I was interested in coming over and looking over what he had left, I agreed and went over. Much of his supplies had already been picked over but I did grab a few old rasps that I'll try to rejuvenate.
There wasn't much in the way of staves but he did have a nice Osage billet, a couple Ash and Elm staves that were decent. On the way out I asked her if she had looked in his wood stove, I knew that he had a tendency to put things in there. She had forgotten about that and sure enough he had a small stash of treasures in there. There was a bag of full length feathers, a couple John Mcpherson books and this
I grabbed the books, the knife, and the feathers, which she gave to me, There were a few other things, such as some bows, a Tomahawk, a pipe and beading supplies which I suggested she donate to the local Algonquin office and/or the museum