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Author Topic: Custer got Siouxed  (Read 7101 times)

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Offline JW_Halverson

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Custer got Siouxed
« on: September 30, 2011, 01:01:31 am »
Last summer I was commissioned to make bows and arrows for a documentary paid for by the National Park Service featuring a re-enactment of the Little Bighorn Battle.  Much has been made of the poor cavalry having only single shot rifles and the Sioux carrying repeating Spencers.  Fact is, a huge number of the 7th died of arrow wounds.  To that end, they gave me 2 wks to crank out what you see in these photos and much much more. 



"Hero shot" arrows, meant for close up filming:


Artificial eagle feathers to be tied in hair or on lances:


Casualty arrows, to be inserted into "dead" actors:


These are some very special Casualty Arrows, they were recycled from the little film you may have heard of, "Dances with Wolves".  They belong to a very good friend of mine and he wanted to see them used again in another film:


The DVD is supposed to be released some time this winter and since it is now more than 12 months since filming, I guess I am released from any confidentiality agreements.  Especially since none of my photos are from the actual filming.
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Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Custer got Siouxed
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2011, 01:09:00 am »
I had forgotten this photo.  Nothing in the way of the archery stuff, but it does show my best runnin' buddy ever, Scully.

Rest in peace, old girl.  I'll catch up soon enough.

 

January 2, 1997 to June 9, 2011
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Offline Pat B

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Re: Custer got Siouxed
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2011, 01:19:04 am »
Lot of nice work John. Very authentic looking to my eyes. Cool that you got the gig to build it all.  8)
  I have an trade point arrowhead from Dances with Wolves. Dick Bernier gave it to me. He and a friend made hundreds of them for the movie.
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Offline Bryce H

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Re: Custer got Siouxed
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2011, 01:30:36 am »
That is one of the greatest subject lines ever!

Great lookin! will you keep us updated when the documentary is released? I am already dying to see it!
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Offline Rick Wallace

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Re: Custer got Siouxed
« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2011, 01:39:17 am »
Very nice! Look forward to seeing that,I envy you guys that make great arrows!!
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Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Custer got Siouxed
« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2011, 02:21:00 am »
These arrows were props!    Most had the words written on the lower end..."DO NOT SHOOT".

The arrows without heads were poplar dowels chosen for straightness but there are a enough grain runouts that I'd discard them.  The armorer on the set was advised to keep the headless arrows in quivers and save the broadheads for actual shooting.  Those were cedar, hickory, ash, and sitka spruce leftover shafts lying around the house. 

Since I had such a short time to make 6 bows, 6 dozen prop arrows, a dozen shootable arrows, and 4 dozen casualty arrows I cheated badly using superglue, artificial sinew, and hardware store shafts. 

Initially I was going to just make the 6 bows and had a month to do it.  At the two week mark they came back and said their arrow maker dropped out at the last minute and I was dumb enough to say yes.  I HATE MAKING ARROWS!
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Offline soy

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Re: Custer got Siouxed
« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2011, 03:12:43 am »
That is cool stuff, and a cool story, and a lot of work.congratulations!
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Offline Dazv

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Re: Custer got Siouxed
« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2011, 03:31:38 pm »
very nice looking stuff you have been busy!!! Im very sorry to hear about your dog
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Offline Ranger B

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Re: Custer got Siouxed
« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2011, 03:36:01 pm »
Really cool John.  Nice work.
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Offline cracker

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Re: Custer got Siouxed
« Reply #9 on: September 30, 2011, 04:03:40 pm »
Very nice work J.W. good lookin props. Glad I got to see what Scully looks like. Ron
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Offline Scowler

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Re: Custer got Siouxed
« Reply #10 on: September 30, 2011, 04:28:40 pm »
Good looking arrows.  I'm sure that Scully is waiting for you.
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Offline LEGIONNAIRE

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Re: Custer got Siouxed
« Reply #11 on: September 30, 2011, 08:17:18 pm »
Thats very cool :) JW. love the arrows despite the fact that they cant be shot. They look very authentic though, you do good work. And yes making all those arrows is tedious, especially the fletching. man you had your hands full. When the DVD comes out let us know, Id like to check it out, especially since someone from the forumn contributed to it.
Sorry about your dog.
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Offline JackCrafty

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Re: Custer got Siouxed
« Reply #12 on: September 30, 2011, 08:23:56 pm »
Very Cool!! ;D
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Offline crooketarrow

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Re: Custer got Siouxed
« Reply #13 on: September 30, 2011, 09:07:49 pm »
     Makes me sweat just looking. Thats alot of work for 2 weeks. SWWEEETTTTTTT
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Offline bowtarist

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Re: Custer got Siouxed
« Reply #14 on: September 30, 2011, 09:29:58 pm »
Great Post!!  That's a lot of arrow buildin +++++ in a short time.  :P  I like buildin arrows, but not on a time line like that.  Great Post!!
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