Author Topic: Identifying an old english longbow  (Read 12112 times)

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Offline shikari

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Identifying an old english longbow
« on: November 13, 2010, 06:38:32 pm »
I acquired an old english longbow from a person 4 years ago.it is an extremely old bow very well made with horn nocks,the handle is cotton thread wrapped around and what was red velvet which has completely disintegrated.I know I should not have shot it but I did and it shot great and it is 90# @ 28.there are absolutely no markings on it and It is definately not yew nor is it laminated.If any of you long bow guys have any info on old longbows I would appericiate it.
thanks

Offline Phil Rees

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Re: Identifying an old english longbow
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2010, 07:25:15 pm »
Photographs would be helpful.

Offline adb

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Re: Identifying an old english longbow
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2010, 09:00:07 pm »
As mentioned, pics are vital. If I had to guess, it's probably degame (lemonwood), which was (and is) popular with UK bowmakers. Are you sure it's 90#? Did you measure the draw weight with a good scale? 90# seems heavy, for what is likely a Victorian style target ELB.

Offline shikari

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Re: Identifying an old english longbow
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2010, 01:34:21 pm »
It is actually well over 90#,I will take pictures and get them up today.

Offline JW_Halverson

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Re: Identifying an old english longbow
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2010, 02:37:43 pm »
Let me do you a favor, I'll send you my address and the money to cover shipping and you send me that bow.   I'll do all the legwork and get back to you.  Really.  I promise. 

Like the rest in here, I'm impatient to see some photos.  Some of those old ELB's were downright elegant. 



Guns have triggers. Bicycles have wheels. Trees and bows have wooden limbs.

Offline shikari

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Re: Identifying an old english longbow
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2010, 03:28:26 pm »
Thanks for the offer JW but I think I'll keep the bow for now,It is my first and only ELB even though I do not shoot it,The bloody thing is amazing.the only thing I have seen similar to it was from the picks of the pope and young meuseum.I will be putting the picks up later today.
Cheers

Offline Phil Rees

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Re: Identifying an old english longbow
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2010, 07:07:18 pm »
If we're going to do a show and tell, I'll post some pictures of my collection...bows by Buchanan, Aldred, Muir and a rare Thomas Grant bow dated 1770

Offline mullet

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Re: Identifying an old english longbow
« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2010, 08:10:03 pm »
 Cool, It would be nice to see a picture of a bow. ;)
Lakeland, Florida
 If you have to pull the trigger, is it really archery?

Offline Cromm

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Re: Identifying an old english longbow
« Reply #8 on: November 15, 2010, 06:58:38 pm »
Photos would be the way to go with helping you out.....I look forward to seeing the bow.
Great Britain.
Home of the Longbowman.

Offline adb

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Re: Identifying an old english longbow
« Reply #9 on: November 18, 2010, 08:24:32 pm »
Pics??

Offline shikari

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Re: Identifying an old english longbow
« Reply #10 on: November 24, 2010, 10:54:48 am »
I finaly got the internet back on after 5 days and now I do not know how to resize the images to post them here,I could use some help from the comp savvy people here,lol.

Offline aaron

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Re: Identifying an old english longbow
« Reply #11 on: November 24, 2010, 11:44:22 am »
to resize:
try emailing them to yourself- many email programs allow you to resize while doing this,
or open em up in a photo editing program, and look thru the menus for something like resize, or resolution, or properties
Ilwaco, Washington, USA
"Good wood makes great bows, but bad wood makes great bowyers"

Offline aaron

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Re: Identifying an old english longbow
« Reply #12 on: November 24, 2010, 11:45:49 am »
or retake the pix with your camera at a lower setting like .3M
Ilwaco, Washington, USA
"Good wood makes great bows, but bad wood makes great bowyers"

Offline shikari

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Re: Identifying an old english longbow
« Reply #13 on: November 24, 2010, 11:51:27 am »
let's try this again

Offline Pat B

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Re: Identifying an old english longbow
« Reply #14 on: November 24, 2010, 12:20:29 pm »
Probably lemonwood(digame). There might be some markings under the handle wrap. Some of the older bows were marked there.
Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes!    Pat Brennan  Brevard, NC