Primitive Archer
Information and Resources => Trading Post => Topic started by: wally on September 13, 2013, 07:49:59 pm
-
A uniquely designed bow from the '60's. Does anyone have or know one for sale please?
-
I'd like to see one in person. There wasn't even one in the Bear Museum.
-
Is that the one with the pivoting limbs that had big ol' rubber bands to power it?
-
Yes that's it. Odd looking with rigid main bow and two smaller limbs pivoting off it with strong elastic bands. I've seen pictures but not an actual one. They reckon about 250 were made so there should be some about still
-
For odd folks with odd proclivities regarding archery, this would be highly collectible. Not that I am judging you too harshly because I want one too!
-
I'll crap my pants if I ever see one at the Flea Market I frequent. Then, I'll haul butt to the ATM machine. ;D :)
-
I just pictured Eddie doing the "loaded britches" squat/waddle for the ATM machine for all he is worth! :laugh:
-
Does anyone have a picture of this bow?
-
here's an old ad.
-
That's crazy. Google couldn't find a picture of that thing for me, only shoes. Could you take a better picture of the writing? I would like to read the description of it.
-
I would like to read the description of it.
"VARABOW- A brand new principle and design development offering revolutionary improvements in archery bow efficiency and performance."
"VARABOW IS VERSATILE - OFFERING NEW SOLUTIONS TO OLD PROBLEMS"
"The variable feature provides quick and easy change of draw weight to to suit the individual of the occasion. This feature is the most desirable and convenient. The Varabow can easily take the place of several regular bows. The Varabow adjustment has seven positions or increments of approximately two pounds each. In instance when extra light or heavy draw weight beyond the adjustment range is desired, light or heavy power bands are available at a small cost."
"The VARABOW is ideal for both target practice and game hunting. It is remarkably quiet, accurate, and powerful with very little bow torque or rebound and can be shot from positions in brush and vines not possible with regular bows.
Easy to string up-no tools or devices needed. Can be left strung up or can be easily be unstrung for storing or traveling. "
-
if i ever get the chance i might make a replica of this bow. looks pretty awsome. looks like the type of thing jeorg sprave might make.
-
Ask around please There must be one out there somewhere for sale. They reckon 250 were made.
-
is all the wooden parts static?
-
axcept where the libs stretch..
I have an idea, and its probably not good.
-
The main bow is rigid and only the smaller limbs move on a pivot pin. The power seems to come from the elastic bands? Very odd design
-
That's crazy unique! It looks like a step towards compounds. Thank you for the picture and best of luck in your quest.
-
Looks like an evolutionary dead end on the way to compounds!
-
So thats where compounds came from.
-
everyone stop using the "C" word! >:D
-
I have seen a simalar design but with cables instead of rubber bands and four limbs all bent . Picture the limbs on the back being more reflexed and the belly side limbs being more or less straight with a cable conecting the tips ... all most like this bow in the pic strung in reverse . Instead of the rubbery bands it uses all four limbs for extra tork . You know what.... i think since no one can find one of these ..... this calls for a build challenge . Post a challenge to build this bow . And i bet a few guys will give it a try. .... i might.
-
I have seen a simalar design but with cables instead of rubber bands and four limbs all bent . Picture the limbs on the back being more reflexed and the belly side limbs being more or less straight with a cable conecting the tips ... all most like this bow in the pic strung in reverse . Instead of the rubbery bands it uses all four limbs for extra tork . You know what.... i think since no one can find one of these ..... this calls for a build challenge . Post a challenge to build this bow . And i bet a few guys will give it a try. .... i might.
from what your describing it sounds alot like a penobscot style bow. where it has a normal bow with a smaller one on the front. a friend of mine made one but it then ended up breaking :laugh:
-
It's roughly similar to a penobscot type bow with a big exception that both the main bow and the smaller bow both bend as normal and they use three normal strings with no elastic. I've studied the Penobscots history and made a couple. I love them. I'll post some photos of a really stylised one I made for fun
-
The normal Penobscot (although being a fake) has a set design where the two bows are together. My latest was made with a gap between for easier holding and the fox skull was just because I had one in the shed. The bow shoots well at 35-45lb. You can adjust poundage by cranking up the short strings.
-
The normal Penobscot (although being a fake) ...
Are you referring to one particular bow that is not an original, or are you saying that the Penobscot did not make these bows? Please understand, I am not stirring this pot, just asking for clarification.
-
Great. Now I want to make one :laugh:
-
I got my information from a book selected essays by Gordon M Day. The first time the Penobscot warbow came to light was in 1901 and was sold by Chief Big Thunder to anthropologist Arthur Seton who was collecting and studying New England's native Americans. There appears to be no record before that.The Penobscot tribe had normal type bows and I don't think the warbow appears in their official website last time I looked. Chief Big Thunder was also known as Big Frank Lola A.K.A. Francis Loring and was said to be a white man who lived with the Penobscot most of his life. He travelled America with his sister selling baskets which the Penobscots are famous for plus their canoes. He signed up with P T Barnum's travelling wild west shows and was a showman who later made his living making and selling 'Indian Relics'. The original bow made by him was immediately copied and their were a few appearing after 1901. In my opinion a myth grew around it from then. I still love the bow, it's style and look even though I think it is only about 100 yrs old. There is a photo of Clara Paul in Penobscot dress holding a warbow dated 1853 which someone said disproved the 1901 date. I searched into it and accidently found the photographer was a Francis Loring. So he could have used the bow in wild west shows in 1853, or he could have lied about the date-maybe?
A quote from the book- 'Accounts given of him were ‘he was unscrupulous, a liar, and a rascal’ by the informants to the writer, ‘Fanny Eckstorm, who knew him, and his Penobscot tribesmen, were in full agreement with this assessment. There was no record of a dissenting opinion.’
-
We seem to have drifted from Varabow(which I'm after)and the Penobscot which I love. Here are two photos of Chief Big Thunder ans Clara Paul with Penobscot bows, strangely of different types? Who knows the truth? Although I firmly believe that Big Frank Lola aka Francis Loring aka Big chief Thunder fabricated the idea. That doesn't detract from the bow's style at all.
-
Ok, Wally, it appears we are working with the same information. Always wondered if Frances Loring's name was synonymous with "Big Noise".
And again I agree with you, it does not detract from the bow's style at all. Some day I hope to have the guts to attempt one of them!
-
What a beast
Knapper
-
Hello fellow archery fan's. I joined this web site because I believe I have stumbled across this mystery Varabow that you speak of. I was planning to list it for sale on ebay and was trying to find a little information about it and thus I found your conversations. if I post a photo can someone confirm? It is stamped Varabow pat. pend. no rubber straps but in great condition. Let me know if anyone is interested before I list. Thanks
-
Pat please do post pics of the bow here.
-
Or, send the pictures to me ;D I'll let everybody know if it's a Varabow.
-
I will take photo's tomorrow and post. Thank you
-
Hi Pat,
I would be very interested in the varabow. Please post pictures and what you're looking before you put it on E bay. Otherwise I'll take my chance on E bay
wally in England
-
Pat, I'm interested also.
-
Thanks for the interest. I have posted the photo's and I am selling this for a customer who came to my shop. I do consignment and he had no clue what he had. My searching brought me here. I did not find one on ebay so I am unsure of the value. I plan to post on line and let supply and demand determine the value???? I would be happy to post the link on here once I list. Not aganist considering reasonable offer's so as to avoid ebay fees.
-
Yep, that's the real thing. You can post on here when you post it but not the link. Ebay is a commercial site and not a sponsor.
-
yes that's it. One problem may be-are you willing to post it to England? It'll be a chore but if you are willing I'm offering plus delivery.
today
Send the offer in a PM. No money on this site
-
Thank you both for clarification on this bow. We ship worldwide thru our ebay store, and to be fair to my consignor I need to do some more research on value. Or I may just start it out high with best offer option to see if I get any bites. If you both throw me an offer I can pass it on to my guy and see if he wants to avoid ebay fees and sell it thru a paypal money request. So I am open at this time. Thanks again. I also have a Pro-line medallion series target bow in beautiful shape from the 70's I can post photo's of as well if there is any interest. I am still learning how to use this site so bare with me guys & gals.
-
Please be careful what you post here Pat. If you wish to become an advertiser with the Magazine then you will be allowed to mention money or even sell here but until then the mention of money if not allowed
-
Thanks Marc St. Louis for the heads up, still learning and appreciate that. My e-mail is pickers-exchange@hotmail.com for anyone wanting to contact me about this varabow. The photo below is a Vintage Proline Medallion Series Zepher Magnum Compound target bow very nice. I live in Northern Michigan and I get many unique archery items come thru my shop due to the fact that Bear bow and Anderson bow were both from the my home turf. I just recently re-homed a very unique bow see in photo #2 and never did find out much about it. It was all metal and made from Wisconsin. I would still like to learn more about that if anyone knows. Thanks everyone.
-
Sorry everyone. I was mistaken to mention money on here. It won't happen again
wally
-
A picture of a compound on this web site...... Shame, shame
-
Burn him! He's a witch! Burn!
-
;D ;D ;D ;D
Pappy
-
A picture of a compound on this web site...... Shame, shame
It's allowed as long as it's in this forum.
-
I can't say I have ever seen or heard of the metal bow. It is very unique. I have seen one of those old compounds though and know the person who still hunts with it.
-
I've seen a picture of that bow somewhere. I've been racking my brain trying to remember which web site. I have a metal bow I got from Jesse a few years ago but nothing like that.
-
The compound was made in Hastings, Michigan by Proline owned by Bill Pierce. Bill and my dad shot many tournaments together back in the late 50's and early 60's. My dad shot instinctive and Bill was a site shooter. He made a very nice bow.
-
Theres pics of a shoot through complete kit in one of the bibles dont remember whitch one at the moment.
-
Thanks for the info and responses...been down with the crud for a few days.
-
I just pictured Eddie doing the "loaded britches" squat/waddle for the ATM machine for all he is worth! :laugh:
Negotiate very close, bet the price drops rapidly.....
-
Hello Primitive Archer's...finally listed the Varabow interested lookers auction # is 121330644715. Running for 10 days
-
GOD THATS COOL!