Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: Kviljo on December 27, 2009, 06:35:31 pm

Title: Complete dimensions for sinew backed American-Indian bow?
Post by: Kviljo on December 27, 2009, 06:35:31 pm

I've been looking around in the litterature a little for some measurements and good descriptions of an American-Indian short sinew backed bow. Just any bow that there is enough data on to make a replica :) - but I haven't found one yet.

Perhaps you know of a book or a place on the internet that has such info?

Title: Re: Complete dimensions for sinew backed American-Indian bow?
Post by: Pat B on December 27, 2009, 07:24:27 pm

Kviljo,   Billy Berger has a series of articles coming out in Primitive Archer Magazine soon. He went to the Smithsonian in Washington, DC a few months ago and spent 2 days viewing, photographing and documenting Native bows and arrows from across the US. Jim Hamm and Steve Allaly(?) put out the Encyclopedia of Native American Bows and Arrows(2 volumes). Great pen drawings with dimensions of bows and arrows.   Mike(El Destructo), Patrick(Jackcrafty) and others have posted Native American style bows here on PA. Check out the "How To" section and do a search here.   Dr. Bert Grayson recently passed but he had an extensive collection of bows and arrows from around the world including many NA bows and arrows. He wrote quite a few articles for PA Magazine and I believe his collection is located at the University of Missouri. You can probably access info there.

Title: Re: Complete dimensions for sinew backed American-Indian bow?
Post by: rileyconcrete on December 27, 2009, 07:29:32 pm

Kviljo,

I jsut finished a short sinew backed Indian bow It is under "California style shortbow"  check it out. If you have any questions ask, I will tell you everything I know about making one. Loefflerchuck also made a miwok style short bow, He knows alot about them also. They are really neatbows.

Tell Riley

Title: Re: Complete dimensions for sinew backed American-Indian bow?
Post by: FVR on December 27, 2009, 07:30:12 pm

Reginald Laubing American Indian Archery has some good pics and dimensions.

Title: Re: Complete dimensions for sinew backed American-Indian bow?
Post by: rileyconcrete on December 27, 2009, 07:44:17 pm

Oh yeay TBB4 has some great dimensions on some of ishis bows. 

Title: Re: Complete dimensions for sinew backed American-Indian bow?
Post by: Hillbilly on December 28, 2009, 10:34:48 am

Jim Hamm/Steve Allely's Encyclopedia of Native American Bows, Arrows, and Quivers vol. 2 has many  sinew-backed Plains bows illustrated with measurements, as does Jim Hamm's Plains Bows chapter in TBB vol. 3.

Title: Re: Complete dimensions for sinew backed American-Indian bow?
Post by: Kviljo on December 28, 2009, 11:19:13 am

Thanks, guys! This is great!
I'll have to get that Encyclopedia.

A photo-buildalong will follow, as a "thank you" :)