[Steppes] Newbie Archery Question

[arcusironwyrm@juno.com]

I'm going to reply to you on the list as well because this and similar 
questions do come up from time to time, I hope you do not mind.

Concerning such an old bow with a wonderful family history I 
would exercise great care in keeping it as something you might 
wish to pass down yourself.  However, this may not be your wish, 
if so be advised that any bow can fail with use and snap.  Especially 
English style longbows ("D" bows), although age is not the only 
factor it does seriously increase the risk of breakage the older & 
dryer the bow is.

I've seen about six bows fail in five years, and all but two were 
English style longbows, three of those were older (10 years plus) 
bows.  So the odds are not in your favor, but the risk of losing a 
possible family heirloom would be more than I would want to 
bear.  I would secure a nice linen string for your bow and turn into 
a wall hanger were I you, but then again that's just me!

As for making a string, there are many among the Steppes whom 
could not only do that for you but teach you to do that for 
yourself.  I invite you to attend archery practice this weekend 
where some members of the Bowyer & Fletcher's Guild plan to 
add a picnic and bit of hands on instruction for those archers 
attending.  String making & arrow fletching are standard fare at 
these gatherings and you will get to meet a lot of our local 
archers (and maybe some from our neighboring branches as well).

Steppes archery practice is held at 9 AM Sunday mornings at the 
Eastfield College archery range at 3737 Motley Drive, Mesquite TX 
(2 blocks north of 3800 I-30).  I would park across the street 
from the range off campus, anywhere on campus is a long walk!

Steppes has loaner equipment and a lot of skilled archers willing 
to provide instruction, so please come join us!

Can you add anything Arcarius Linet?

YIS,

Ironwyrm




On Thu, 19 Aug 2004 07:52:02 -0700 (PDT) HARKINS
<shark75080 at sbcglobal.net> writes:
> I have just joined the SCA and have not yet been to a
> meeting, but, hehe...
> 
> My father had an English long bow that he got as a
> boy. It came from Europe, I don't know where in
> Europe, however. About 20 years ago, I used it for
> target practice, but the string broke and at that time
> we had no idea how to replace it. My Dad passed away 2
> years ago, but the bow is still at my mother's house.
> 
> Are there folks here in Steppes that would be able to
> look at this bow and tell me if it is usable, and
> whether or not it is possible to make a string for it?
> The only thing I remember is that it pulled either to
> the left or the right a bit. Unfortunately, it has
> been sitting on one end for quite a while and has
> received no care at all so it may be just a relic at
> this point.
> 
> If there is someone who could look at it, please send
> me an email: shark75080 at sbcglobal.net.
> 
> Thanks,
> Susan
> _______________________________________________
> Steppes mailing list
> Steppes at ansteorra.org
> http://www.ansteorra.org/mailman/listinfo/steppes
> 
> 

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