What a treasure...the trad archer's travel gear!

Very Sweet! A treasure.

Wow!  What an impressive collection of archery artifacts!  Knowing some of the history makes it that much better!  Thanks for sharing.

Bernie

I really like that old stuff like yours.  It's even better than getting a new bow.

A great story and a piece of family and archery history! Thx for excellent pictures.

Update on the old bows!!!

Over the past few days, I've been able to string and (gently) start working the smaller bow up towards a full draw. It feels like it pulls about thirty pounds, maybe a bit more. Right now, I've got it stretchy enough so that I can get almost to full draw without feeling like I'm going to break it, and I think it will be only a few more sessions before I can shoot it safely. That just leaves the quandary of finding a place to shoot it where I won't ruin any of those beautiful arrows...
   
One odd thing I did notice was that it came with three strings... only two of which fit. The first string is obviously well-used, with a little fraying around the ends of the serving. The second string looks newer, and has darker-colored serving. The other string is exactly as long as the bow, and can just barely be strung around the nocks without applying any tension. Any idea what this could be? A stringer? Perhaps a string for the other (slightly larger) bow?

Thanks for sharing the pictures.  What a treasure you were gifted with.  I have recently been bitten with the vintage bow bug and seeing your post makes me realize that I really need one!.

Very nice hand made archery tackle from yesteryear, preserved very well by someone who respected it's quality.  Not to mention the fact that it was owned and used by a relative.  That's as good as it gets in the world of Collecting.

What a treasure!!!!!!!

QuoteOriginally posted by TRAP:
Very nice hand made archery tackle from yesteryear, preserved very well by someone who respected it's quality.  Not to mention the fact that it was owned and used by a relative.  That's as good as it gets in the world of Collecting.

What a treasure!!!!!!!

X2    

Very cool! What a treasure!

I'm still debating as to whether I should actually shoot this beautiful bow. On the one hand, I recently got my draw length measured and confirmed that, at 26", it fits to the bow and arrows; the bow itself feels nice and springy and seems to want to be shot; and I've learned how to make flemish strings so I should be able to whip up a string for it. On the other hand, it IS an antique selfbow, and I don't know if it has ever been dry fired, overdrawn, or otherwise compromised. I showed it to some buddies of mine when I first got it, and was immediately told not to shoot/string it (even though at that point I had already done so previously out of curiosity and done a few test draws with an arrow) because yew gets brittle with age, and that I would need to make an exact replica string and use it at the exact same draw length and brace height as the original owner had used or it would shatter on me, how I must never leave it out in the sun, get it too hot or too cold, or wet at all, that I must never feed it after midnight, and various other things that just sound way too finicky, even for this bow.

So, questions:
Given the condition of the bow (no noticeable flaws in the finish, no visible cracks or splits, no twist that I can see, feels nice and resilient), would it be shootable if I made a new string for it? The two shorter strings that came with it are about an inch different in length - would I want to go with making a string as long as the longer one, and just twist it up like a normal dacron string? Would the string necessarily have to be made of linen, or can yew bows stand up to B-50 strings? Is brace height really so incredibly crucial for this type of bow? Is it a good idea to do some test shots at partial draw after exercising the bow gradually for a bit first? Or should I just put aside these uncertainties, make a new string as close to the original as possible, and just go from there?

The tiller on that bow is amazing! That is truly a piece of art.

I own two Yew wood self bows and one of them blew up while in the process of drawing the arrow back. Yew is a very forgiving and smooth shooting bow wood but no where near as tough as Osage. Personally, with that bow being recurved and with the beautiful string grooves ... I would not chance it and I'm typically a guy who believes in using his equipment. Your set with the beautiful box and arrows and being so complete would bring enjoyment for years without pulling it back. Food for thought. If you break it, ... its just not the same, EVER.

I'm with Vince!
Once it's broke it is never the same..... Your very fortunate to have received it. It is one thing to attempt to shoot an old bow that you find in a shop but completely another thing to have been given the opportunity to care for and some day pass on something of personal value with known history attached.
My experience is that some of the old bows can be shot for a while but most come apart as they age. I have had more then several blow up coming to full draw that appeared to be sound! Anymore if I run into a nice old selfbow I hang it for the visual and historical enjoyment....
Then again, the bow belongs to you and the choice is yours      

Sometimes I think more has been forgotten about making selfbows than has been retained or relearned in the last few decades. This bow is an excellent example of that.

As much as I like and advocate shooting old bows, I wouldn't risk it with this one. You have a genuine treasure in that set.