Author Topic: Old yew bow ID  (Read 6773 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline TacticalFate

  • Member
  • Posts: 234
Old yew bow ID
« on: March 01, 2014, 09:06:49 pm »
My friend bought this at a flea market for $20, no markings of any kind and backed with what looks like sinew or linen. Can anybody help ID it? From flexing it against the floor, feels like 70-80 lbs






Offline huisme

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,036
  • I'm Marc, but not that Marc.
Re: Old yew bow ID
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2014, 09:33:12 pm »
No idea, but that thing is gorgeous!
50#@26"
Black locust. Black locust everywhere.
Mollegabets all day long.
Might as well make them short, save some wood to keep warm.

Offline Hamish

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,557
Re: Old yew bow ID
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2014, 09:36:40 pm »
Looks like a very well made bow, probably from the 1940's.Yep, looks like sinew backing the yew. Without any markings or a provenance, it would be hard to attribute it definitively to any known bowyer. Still a lovely bow, and an absolute bargain for $20.
Looks like it could still be a shooter, with careful bracing, and exercising. If you don't already know the details on how to attempt this safely, let us know and someone will chime in. There is always a risk with and old bow, even in an apparently good condition.
                                                                           Hamish.

Offline Badger

  • Member
  • Posts: 8,124
Re: Old yew bow ID
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2014, 09:55:15 pm »
    Looks like a very well made bow, it may loose several pounds by the time you excersise it out to full draw. They made some good bows back then.

Offline Carson (CMB)

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,319
Re: Old yew bow ID
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2014, 12:02:35 am »
That is a piece of junk.  Want to double your money?  >:D

I think Glenn St Charles used the skived leather handle wrap, but I am sure he wasn't the only one. 

That is a beauty.  I am glad to hear you plan to string it up and shoot it.  Just take it slow.   :)  and let us know how she shoots. 
"The bow is the old first lyre,
the mono chord, the initial rune of fine art
The humanities grew out from archery as a flower from a seed
No sooner did the soft, sweet note of the bow-string charm the ear of genius than music was born, and from music came poetry and painting and..." Maurice Thompso

Offline burchett.donald

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,437
Re: Old yew bow ID
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2014, 12:17:56 am »
 Who ever owned that bow knew how to take care of it...Still reflexed, probably never left strung like so many other old bows...
Genesis 27:3 Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison;

Offline NeolithicMan

  • Member
  • Posts: 562
  • No beliefs, just ideas
Re: Old yew bow ID
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2014, 10:17:00 am »
Now that is a sweet find! cant wait to hear about some arrows screaming out of her!
John, 40-65# @ 28" Central New York state. Never enough bows, never enough arrows!

Offline IdahoMatt

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,093
Re: Old yew bow ID
« Reply #7 on: March 02, 2014, 11:49:18 am »
Wow that's a cool piece of history right there. Glad to here you are planning on shooting it. 

Offline TacticalFate

  • Member
  • Posts: 234
Re: Old yew bow ID
« Reply #8 on: March 02, 2014, 11:53:27 am »
Nah, I'm not planning on shooting it, it's much too heavy for my friend, so it's her wall hanger.

Offline Fred Arnold

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,566
  • From up on Munson Creek
Re: Old yew bow ID
« Reply #9 on: March 02, 2014, 12:34:26 pm »
That's a beauty!! Tell your friend I'll give her 3 wallhangers for that one. ;D
I found many years ago that it is much easier and more rewarding working with those that don't know anything than those that know it all.

Offline medicinewheel

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,629
Re: Old yew bow ID
« Reply #10 on: March 03, 2014, 02:18:59 am »
That thing still holds it's reflex, must be realy well made!
Frank from Germany...

Offline Bryce

  • Global Moderator
  • Member
  • Posts: 3,125
  • Pacific Ghost Longbows
Re: Old yew bow ID
« Reply #11 on: March 03, 2014, 03:08:47 am »
Ive seen an L. E. Stemmler youth bow that looked almost identical to that there. Minus the sinew.

Carson is probably right sense he's the archery historian :)
Clatskanie, Oregon

Offline ohma2

  • Member
  • Posts: 960
Re: Old yew bow ID
« Reply #12 on: March 03, 2014, 11:49:35 am »
I would contact glens son he could probably shed some light on it. cant imagine walking up to that and giving $ 20.00 for it congrats,







420

Offline Onebowonder

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,495
Re: Old yew bow ID
« Reply #13 on: March 03, 2014, 11:56:16 am »
Would you mind to post some measurements on the bow sir?  ...that's quite a find to be sure!

OneBow


 

Offline TacticalFate

  • Member
  • Posts: 234
Re: Old yew bow ID
« Reply #14 on: March 03, 2014, 12:22:22 pm »
The friend who bought the bow told me she was making an account here, so I'll ask her to post the specs.