Re: MtMan-List: Elk Antler Bows

[David Mullen <dmullen@jemez.com>]

Recently there was an inquiry about elk antler bow construction. I found the 
following reference in COMMERCE OF THE PRAIRIE  by Josiah Gregg (originally 
published in 1844) :

"The usual length of the Indian bow is about three feet, though it is 
sometimes as much as four. It is generally made of elastic wood, yet elkıs 
horn is occasionally used. Those of the latter are made of two of the longest 
and straightest shafts, which, being shaved down to the necessary 
proportions, are united by lapping their ends together and binding them 
firmly with sinew. Bows have also been made, in the same manner, of a pair of 
buffalo ribs; but as well these as those of elk horn, are rather items of 
curiosity than of service; at least, they are not equal to the bows of the 
bois-dıarc tree. Even the backs of the wooden bows are often lined the whole 
length with a broad strip of sinew, and the whole wrapped with shreds of the 
same. The arrows are generally about thirty inches long, and pointed with 
iron, through the primitive flint points are still met with among some of the 
wildest tribes."  (Gregg, 416-417)

In reference to bois-dıarc Gregg states:
"In many of the rich bottoms from the Canadian to Red River, for a distance 
of one or two hundred miles west of the frontier, is found the celebrated 
bois-dıarc (literally, bow-wood)*, usually corrupted in pronunciation to 
bowdark. It was so named by the French on account of its peculiar fitness for 
bows. This tree is sometimes found with a trunk two or three feet in 
diameter, but, being much branched, it is rarely over forty or fifty feet 
high. The leaves are large, and it bears a fruit a little resembling the 
orange in general appearance, though rough and larger, being four or five 
inches in diameter; but it is not used for food. The wood is of a beautiful 
light orange color, and, though course, is susceptible of polish. It is one 
of the hardest, firmest and most durable of timbers, and is such used by 
wagon-makers and millwrights, as well as by the wild Indians, who make bows 
of the younger growths."
*Maclura aurantiaca, also known as Osage orange. (Gregg, 360)

A more modern rendering of elk antler bow construction can be found in THE 
TRADITIONAL BOWYERıS BIBLE, VOLUME TWO. Jim Hamm (ed.), Lyons & Burford, New 
York, 1993.  There is a section on composite bows that covers antler, rib, 
horn and various other methods of primitive bow construction. The book is 
available through Bois dıArk Press (817/237-0829) for $22.95. 

As an aside, has anyone found any first person documentation for bow use by 
Anglos during the Rendezvous period? I have found refernces to the use of 
bows and lances by Hispanics on the Santa Fe Trail but nothing regarding 
their use by Anglos. If anyone has any information regarding their use by 
Anglos please share it with the hist-list.

Hope this is of some assistance, 
David Mullen

Gregg, Josiah. COMMERCE OF THE PRAIRIES. University of Oklahoma Press, 
Norman, 1990.


-- 
David Mullen
202 Mesa Verde 
Jemez Springs, NM 87025
Phone: (505) 829-3212
email: dmullen@jemez.com

Sickler, Louis L (MSMAIL) wrote:
> 
> Hope someone out there can help. I know I read in one of my stacks of
> publications a description of making a bow either as a wood/antler
> composite or completely out of elk antler. I thought it was in a
> recent Backwoodsman or Best of or Wilderness Way, but I can't find the
> reference again.
> 
> I am hoping one of you can provide a source and/or a brief description
> of such a process.