Native american bows

GunClick Rick · March 21, 2012, 01:09:43 AM

What would different tribes use for bow material? There were no arrow rests that i know of so what did they use,thier hand?And how would the arrow lay,two feathers down or just the one.I have an old bow that does not have a rest and i want to indian it up,it does have a grasp area where you hold on to it but that's it.Looks to be made of oak but not sure.

St. George · March 21, 2012, 10:40:41 AM

No matter what you do to it - it's always going to present as a decorated modern-made bow.

The Native American bows weren't as 'developed' as the European war bows - so their style more resembles those old toy bows that were available 'way back when' - the type those suction-cup arrows were used with - but a little more robust.

The fletching of the arrow was very similar to those used today - and shooting from a knuckle provided a suitable rest, and a rawhide wrap could be easily fashioned.

Every so often, the magazine 'Primitive Archery' (I think) will have good, well-illustrated articles to look at - sometimes, these are available at your Public Library.

I've got my eye open for a similar bow - I can make two Atlatls from one.

Scouts Out!

TwoWalks Baldridge · March 21, 2012, 11:05:21 AM

Quote from: St. George on March 21, 2012, 10:40:41 AM
The Native American bows weren't as 'developed' as the European war bows - so their style more resembles those old toy bows that were available 'way back when' - the type those suction-cup arrows were used with - but a little more robust.

This is a very in depth subject that I am afraid can not be answered in a form post. As far as them looking like those old toy bows, there were probably a couple tribes who's bows could be viewed that way. On the other hand there were some tribes who's bows very much looked like the English Longbow.

The Cherokee bows were similar in length and shape to the English Long bow and usually made from Osage Orange. They also had a draw weight that was similar or greater than the English Long bow.

The nez perce were exceptional bow makers as well. The "normal" plains bow was typically raw hide backed and short also not extremely powerful as they were intended to be used at a close range.

A number of tribes had very flat bows and wide in the center of the limb.

As I stated earlier, this can and is a very in depth subject.

GunClick Rick · March 21, 2012, 11:08:27 AM

Wouldn't mind havin an atlatil too.I have another wood bow that's like what you speak of,sort of an old toy bow.

Mogorilla · March 21, 2012, 11:35:42 AM

Loads of variations. I believe eastern native americans had bows that did resemble Longbows. The plains were short bows, rawhide or sinew backed. Short bows much easier to deal with on horseback. Arrows also varied, have seen originals that were two feathers, not split, just whole feathers on either side. I made longer versions like this and they threw well from an atlatl. In the south you had cane arrows. Osage orange was a popular wood for bows.

GunClick Rick · March 21, 2012, 11:43:10 AM

Well i found this site researching

http://www.primitiveways.com/index.html#anchor699671

ChurchandSon · March 21, 2012, 11:54:52 AM

Hey Rick, here's a link to some primitive bow makers. Pretty neat bunch...Randy

http://paleoplanet69529.yuku.com/forums/18/Archery-Primitive-Bows#.T2oHGuwkSuJ

TwoWalks Baldridge · March 21, 2012, 02:32:17 PM

Quote from: GunClick Rick on March 21, 2012, 11:08:27 AM
Wouldn't mind havin an atlatil too.I have another wood bow that's like what you speak of,sort of an old toy bow.

Rick check out http://www.squidoo.com/atlatlvideoshowcase about half way down there is a young lady throwing with an atlatl that I made for her many moons ago.

GunClick Rick · March 21, 2012, 09:08:19 PM

Will do,thanks for the other sites..

GunClick Rick · March 21, 2012, 09:13:20 PM

HOT DOG!!! Now i really want one

Around here there are old walnut trees with alot of pups growing out from the bases,can you use that to make them?It's an old place where it used to be an orchard but was torn out years ago with some remaining,right by my house,everytime i go by there i think they would make great arrow shafts anyway,they get pretty long too.

GunClick Rick · March 21, 2012, 09:38:48 PM

Man there are some awsome atlatls over there!!!

Had no idea they could made made so many different ways.

TwoWalks Baldridge · March 22, 2012, 08:46:42 AM

Quote from: GunClick Rick on March 21, 2012, 09:13:20 PM
HOT DOG!!! Now i really want one

Around here there are old walnut trees with alot of pups growing out from the bases,can you use that to make them?It's an old place where it used to be an orchard but was torn out years ago with some remaining,right by my house,everytime i go by there i think they would make great arrow shafts anyway,they get pretty long too.

Rick, I have been unable to make bows or Atlatl's for a few years now ... do to lung issues, I can not be around dust. Having said that and thinking about your description of the old walnut trees, check out this link http://www.primitiveways.com/atlatl_branch.html. You could probably whip one up in short order.

Daniel Nighteyes · July 19, 2012, 04:55:53 PM

Rick,

Do not forget that many of the Plains Indians (with their horse cultures) shot their shorter bows with the limbs in a more-or-less horizontal position rather than the "accepted" vertical position. Even the most cursory examination will show that this makes sense when shooting from the back of a horse.

If you've ever shot a primitive bow -- by that I mean a bow without an arrow "shelf" -- from the vertical position, you know that the top of your bow hand is quickly bleeding from the repetitive cuts caused by the high-speed passage of the fletching (aka feathers). There are ways around this - most notably the wearing of a glove-like garment on the bow-hand. But of course such a glove quickly wears out, and it interferes with other, equally vital, functions.

-- Nighteyes