Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: George D. Stout on February 20, 2014, 04:55:49 pm

Title: Ol' Buck is still flingin' arrows.
Post by: George D. Stout on February 20, 2014, 04:55:49 pm

Those of you who know of Ol' Buck will know he is a lemonwood longbow from the 1940's, and has traveled over six years over the US and Canada, in the hands of about 40 different folks.   Anyway, he is still going strong...maybe a little limp, but still flinging.  Here's a few photos.  I have just made a dozen cedars for him for some spring stumping.   ;)   These are from a month ago before the two feet of snow we have now. 

(http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p738/oldearcher46/41ad30e8-e54c-4a15-b2a9-186efefe963d_zpsc8d40232.jpg) (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/oldearcher46/media/41ad30e8-e54c-4a15-b2a9-186efefe963d_zpsc8d40232.jpg.html)

(http://i1348.photobucket.com/albums/p738/oldearcher46/55cbd8f4-790b-4522-8785-ba6a00a968ab_zps00e9d921.jpg) (http://s1348.photobucket.com/user/oldearcher46/media/55cbd8f4-790b-4522-8785-ba6a00a968ab_zps00e9d921.jpg.html)

Title: Re: Ol' Buck is still flingin' arrows.
Post by: Pat B on February 20, 2014, 05:34:43 pm

Cool old bow, George. Good to know that those old lemonwood bows still have some sting.
That one looks a lot like the hickory backed lemonwood bow I recently built.

Title: Re: Ol' Buck is still flingin' arrows.
Post by: George D. Stout on February 20, 2014, 05:40:16 pm

This one is an old York (Woodcraft Equipment Co.) out of Independence, MO.   It is backed with clarified calfskin ..... drum head material.

Title: Re: Ol' Buck is still flingin' arrows.
Post by: Pat B on February 20, 2014, 05:43:52 pm

I have an old lemonwood ELB style York with aluminum "horn" nocks. I contacted Woodcraft about it and the guy I talked to sent me a copy of the original catalog. My bow cost about $7 new in the late 30s or early 40s.

Title: Re: Ol' Buck is still flingin' arrows.
Post by: Danzn Bar on February 20, 2014, 07:36:22 pm

I follow the travels of ol buck a few years ago on one of the other Trad forums.  I think maybe leatherwall.  Good it see it still flinging arras.
DBar

Title: Re: Ol' Buck is still flingin' arrows.
Post by: JW_Halverson on February 20, 2014, 10:34:46 pm

Thanks for sharing the story of this wonderful piece of our hunting legacy.  I sometimes look at a bow I have finished and wonder where it will be in 5, 10, maybe 50 years down the line.  I kinda hope some kid way down the line buys it at a garage sale and strings it up to find if it still shoots....and it does.  It would be nice to have a little piece of me carried in the field long after I am gone.

Title: Re: Ol' Buck is still flingin' arrows.
Post by: Pat B on February 21, 2014, 12:31:48 am

JW, that's why I sign and date all my bows. Not that I will be famous but I have a few oldies with no markings and I'd love to know the history. I have a Jay Massey bow but with no identifying marks it is only a guess and trust where it came from.