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Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: TBinMN on June 19, 2011, 05:24:00 PM

Title: Help w/ Identify Old TD Longbow
Post by: TBinMN on June 19, 2011, 05:24:00 PM

I'd appreciate any help you folks could give me in identifying this old Take Down Longbow I found about 20 years ago or so.

It is 61 1/2" in overall length and I can find no Bowyers mark or manufacturers info on it.

It's in pretty darn good shape - I'm guessing its' 60+ years old - but that's only a guess.  

The backing (Fortisan?) is intact except at the tips where it is separating a bit.  I'm hoping this can be glued back?

Thanks for any help!

Terry

 (http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm3/longbow007/Archery/VintageTDLongbowonSideTG.jpg)

 (http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm3/longbow007/Archery/VintageTDLongbowOpenTG.jpg)

 (http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm3/longbow007/Archery/VintageTDLongbowHandleSide.jpg)

 (http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm3/longbow007/Archery/VintageTDLongbowHingeOpenClose.jpg)

 (http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm3/longbow007/Archery/VintageTDLongbowHingeBack.jpg)

 (http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm3/longbow007/Archery/VintageTDLongbowTips.jpg)

Title: Re: Help w/ Identify Old TD Longbow
Post by: oldbohntr on June 19, 2011, 05:59:00 PM

I can't identify who made the bow, but I have it's twin.  The backing on yours appears to be rawhide, not fortisan. Mine is backed with very thin rawhide or that heavy paper(?)that some bowyers used back then.  The hinge is by Zwickey(unmarked but confirmed to me verbally by several sources.) My grip is nicely made with brown leather.  

It's a rare bird, that's for sure. In 30 years of collecting, I've only heard of maybe two others.

Title: Re: Help w/ Identify Old TD Longbow
Post by: TBinMN on June 19, 2011, 07:23:00 PM

Tom,
Thanks for the info.  I would have known that was rawhide.
Do you think that Zwickey sold the hinges to folks who just wanted to build a bow for themselves as opposed to selling many of them to archery companies?
Is your bow safe to shoot? I would not try it with this one.
Thanks again.

Title: Re: Help w/ Identify Old TD Longbow
Post by: oldbohntr on June 19, 2011, 07:41:00 PM

I don't know, but have never seen a Zwickey advertisement for hinges.  Our bows are so close, I have to think they were made by the same guy, and likely someone in your part of the country.  I got mine somewhere in Michigan or Wisconsin and you're from that part of the world too....I suspect the bowyer was Mr Zwickey.  When I get time, I'll post some pics of mine.  It is in the same condition as yours and certainly is not shootable.

Title: Re: Help w/ Identify Old TD Longbow
Post by: wadde on June 20, 2011, 09:34:00 AM

I have one as well but the hinge is different than the one pictured.

Title: Re: Help w/ Identify Old TD Longbow
Post by: TBinMN on June 20, 2011, 04:02:00 PM

Steve,
Post some pictures of you have a chance - it would be interesting to see if they are similar and to get Tom's opinion.

Title: Re: Help w/ Identify Old TD Longbow
Post by: wadde on June 21, 2011, 05:47:00 AM

send me your email address and I will send you some pics

Title: Re: Help w/ Identify Old TD Longbow
Post by: TBinMN on June 21, 2011, 11:43:00 AM

Steve,
Sent PM.

Title: Re: Help w/ Identify Old TD Longbow
Post by: wadde on June 21, 2011, 09:22:00 PM

pics sent