Author Topic: Native American Bows  (Read 13978 times)

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Immortal

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Native American Bows
« on: September 15, 2007, 08:57:30 pm »
First things first, I'm new to this forum, So Hiya all.  I'm From the Land Down Under, and just started getting involved with Archery.  I used to a bit in Highschool, but that's about it.

So, Now to my first query...  I'm interested in obtaining a bow similar to that of the Plains Tribes of Native North American Indians.  What sort of bows did they use, and more importantly, I am most interested in the type of Bow the Sioux may have used?  If this has already been discussed elsewhere, feel free to point me in the right direction...

Thanks all...

Offline mullet

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Re: Native American Bows
« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2007, 10:11:50 pm »
  Welcome,didn't know you guy's said Ya'll.I thought we had an exclusive on that.Read a little father down this column,there is an excellant example of plains bow.
Lakeland, Florida
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Offline Hrothgar

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Re: Native American Bows
« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2007, 10:33:02 pm »
Although the wood of choice is usually osage orange, many of the plain's tribes made bows from ash or hickory. Traditionally these bows were shorter--under 56 inches, and implemented a wide-- 2 inches or more, thin limb design. Many, later era bows also were backed with sinew which adds poundage and  helps protect the wood from failure. Depending on what era and what purpose you want to make your bow these bows weren't meant to be drawn 28 inches and originally were designed for shooting  rabbits, birds and other small game; not just deer or elk.
There are several different bow designs and you'll probably want to do a little research. A good book I came across several years ago was written by Douglas Wallentine, I believe he is Lakota if I remember. He covers various woods, bow designs, arrows, fletching, string-making, etc.  I recommend one of his books if you can get hold of one. Good luck.
" To be, or not to be"...decisions, decisions, decisions.

Offline Marc St Louis

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Re: Native American Bows
« Reply #3 on: September 16, 2007, 08:58:27 am »
The only museum example I have seen of a Sioux bow was a short D style bow (52" long) sinew backed and narrow, less than 1 1/2" wide. These are not that difficult to make if you are looking to make one. If you are looking to buy one then you can E/M me at marc@primitivebowyer.com
Home of heat-treating, Corbeil, On.  Canada

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Offline sumpitan

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Re: Native American Bows
« Reply #4 on: September 16, 2007, 11:17:47 am »
Plains Indians did not make wide, thin bows. Original Plains bows are very narrow, from 1 to 1 1/4" wide at widest.

Tuukka

Offline OldBow

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Re: Native American Bows
« Reply #5 on: September 16, 2007, 12:04:00 pm »
Go to the previous page (2) and look at the thread "Plainsbow #1" by ho waste.
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Offline Traxx

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Re: Native American Bows
« Reply #7 on: September 16, 2007, 06:49:10 pm »
Have a look at this.It is,the best,internet source of info,on Sioux bows that i have seen yet.

Offline Traxx

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Re: Native American Bows
« Reply #8 on: September 16, 2007, 06:50:04 pm »

Offline mullet

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Re: Native American Bows
« Reply #9 on: September 16, 2007, 09:50:27 pm »
  Traxx,Thanks for the informative site.
Lakeland, Florida
 If you have to pull the trigger, is it really archery?

Offline adb

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Re: Native American Bows
« Reply #10 on: September 17, 2007, 12:51:11 pm »
Hi,
Check out the Traditional Bowyer's Bibles Vols I, II, and III. All of them have chapters on Native American bows.

Offline scattershot

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Re: Native American Bows
« Reply #11 on: September 17, 2007, 01:12:06 pm »
Another excellent reference is American Indian Archery by Reginald and Gladys Laubin. They cover plains indian styles, but other regions as well. I believe Amazon.com has it.

Best,
Gene
"Experience is just a series of non-fatal mistakes"

Immortal

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Re: Native American Bows
« Reply #12 on: September 17, 2007, 08:00:27 pm »
Thanx for the info so far... Very helpful...

Did they use a recurve or longbow type?  Or another???

Immortal

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Re: Native American Bows
« Reply #13 on: September 17, 2007, 08:15:06 pm »
I don't think it is going to be possible or practical to make my own bow in Australia for a number of reasons being:

1) A possible Lack of availabilty for wood that could be used.
2) A lack of sinew etc for the bow.
3) My total ineptitude at hand crafts and wood work and the like.

Immortal

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Re: Native American Bows
« Reply #14 on: September 23, 2007, 08:50:37 pm »
Just for some basic guidance...

What would you call the types of bow's used by the Sioux and/or Cheyenne???  Recurve, extreme recurve, longbow or another category?