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Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: Bud B. on September 24, 2011, 06:07:00 AM

Title: Black Widow Selfbow??????
Post by: Bud B. on September 24, 2011, 06:07:00 AM

Posted here as suggested....

Let's see what kind of responses I get. I'll try to post more pics later.

I picked up a longbow today at an antique festival for a Jackson. The tips are in good shape but the horn part is missing. This is one of those bows with the grooved horn tips put over the pointed wood. It appears to be Osage.

The grip wrap has me wondering if Black Widow made it. Not sure but there is a distinct spider web pattern in the leather.

There are no markings on the bow. It looks to be about 62" and might pull in the 30lb range. The back is flat and the belly a rounded D shape like the English longbows. Definite string follow.

Anyone know?

Thanks.

  (http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/PICT1272.jpg)

Title: Re: Black Widow Selfbow??????
Post by: Bjorn on September 24, 2011, 02:54:00 PM

Sounds like a great find. Definite spider web for sure. I have an original Wilson Bros dealer catalog-no self bows in there and they did not start making bows till 1958. Nice find just the same.

Title: Re: Black Widow Selfbow??????
Post by: Blackhawk on September 24, 2011, 09:30:00 PM

interesting stuff...

Are any of the Wilson Brothers still alive?  I saw a great article written by one of them about 4-5 years ago.

Those BW guys are very helpful and have much better records than many other bow makers.

Title: Re: Black Widow Selfbow??????
Post by: Bud B. on September 24, 2011, 11:18:00 PM

more photos

 (http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/PICT1273.jpg)

 (http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/PICT1274.jpg)

 (http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/PICT1275.jpg)

 (http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f94/Equismith/PICT1278.jpg)

Title: Re: Black Widow Selfbow??????
Post by: Rabob on September 25, 2011, 07:55:00 AM

Bud

I have two of the Wilson Bros long bows from the 40's.Your bow does not resemble either one of mine in any way other than being osage,also they used pig skin on the handle.

Regards,Ray

Title: Re: Black Widow Selfbow??????
Post by: 2treks on September 25, 2011, 08:09:00 AM

That looks more like a lemonwood bow to me.The exposed wood on the tips is to lite for osage. It is a very cool looking bow,congratulations on a great find.

Chuck

Title: Re: Black Widow Selfbow??????
Post by: Zbone on September 25, 2011, 06:32:00 PM

Interesting find.

BTW, for what it is worth, according to the logo here beside me, Black Widow was established in 1957.

Title: Re: Black Widow Selfbow??????
Post by: Rabob on September 26, 2011, 11:36:00 AM

I believe 1957 was the year they became a business and started making and selling the bows they were shooting in tournaments.

Regards,Ray

Title: Re: Black Widow Selfbow??????
Post by: C Kerley on September 26, 2011, 03:11:00 PM

The last Wilson brother died in September 2003...

Title: Re: Black Widow Selfbow??????
Post by: Sal on September 27, 2011, 01:43:00 AM

That bow is not made of osage.  The tips look too light even for lemonwood.  It might be hickory, going by the color and perceptible grain

Title: Re: Black Widow Selfbow??????
Post by: Bud B. on October 03, 2011, 11:21:00 AM

I have several Hickory bows. It ain't Hickory. The grain is too fine. It almost has the appearance of Maple. But the yellow looks to be natural.

Oh well. Doesn't matter. I'll be getting some horn tips for it one day but after deer season most likely. Once I make a string for it I'll probably just hang it for looks with an occasional arrow flung.