Rawhide backing

[Greg DeJanes]

 Did first nation peoples use rawhide to back bows without sinew. Has anyone known Osage to be backed with rawhide by native peoples?

 Trying to decide what I want to do with an Osage stave I'm working on. 

Thanks, Greg

[Pat B]

Greg, I think I've seen Native rawhide backed bows but I don't know if they were osage. I don't back any bows unless they need it. Osage is very strong in tension so unless a ring was violated or other possible future problems they go naked.

[Greg DeJanes]

 I agree I would not either. Problem is the stave has very tight rings. Also has longitudinal cracks. It's been a job so far. I've decided to play it safe and have backed it. Now trying to decide how primitive to finish it. I began going for the Osage tribe bow on page 106 of Native American Bows, Arrows & Quivers.

I would think that rawhide was surly used at some time but, I find no info. to verify this.

Thanks again,
Greg

[Pat B]

I doubt it would have been a regular thing especially in areas with high humidity and regular rain. Being in the outdoors most of the time would detract from the bow's performance. This is strictly just a guess.

[Greg DeJanes]

Interesting !  I was reading some old post and found one by Mark St. Louis. He comments and shows a photo of an Algonquin bow backed with rawhide . It is HHB and was displayed in a museum. I guess us primitive bow makers should not feel so guilty using rawhide without sinew to back LOL.

Thanks,
Greg

[PatM]

That bow was a reproduction bow I believe.

   Ishi rawhide backed bows which he made at the museum but it's hard to say if he showed Pope the method or vice-versa.