Trad Gang

Main Boards => Trad History/Collecting => Topic started by: hardbern on February 12, 2016, 03:26:00 PM

Title: 1947 Ben Pearson factory
Post by: hardbern on February 12, 2016, 03:26:00 PM
....a documentary/news item about "unusual occupations" - in this case that of (a young) Ben Pearson, making bows & arrows!
Some good bits on bow making/tillering & especially making footed arrows.

 https://www.facebook.com/archery.duns/videos/vb.100002304553118/1005063686247107/?type=3
   1947 at Ben Pearson, Pine Bluff, Arkansas (https://www.facebook.com/archery.duns/videos/vb.100002304553118/1005063686247107/?type=3)
Title: Re: 1947 Ben Pearson factory
Post by: arrows2000 on February 13, 2016, 12:15:00 PM
Very interesting. THANKS!!!
Title: Re: 1947 Ben Pearson factory
Post by: Drewster on February 20, 2016, 09:31:00 PM
Yes, definitely interesting.....thanks!
Title: Re: 1947 Ben Pearson factory
Post by: Wade Phillips on February 21, 2016, 01:59:00 PM
Yes, interesting indeed...

This 1947 footage (if that is the correct year), shows making straight end self bows with a draw knife by hand, and only shows straight end self bows in the footage of shooters. Many of us could probably name a manufacturer with more advanced manufacturing techniques and more advanced bows for the year 1947...

However, assuming all the footage was taken at the same time, the Ben Pearson arrow making operation is much more automated than the bow making process at this point... which would be consistent with advertising of the era.  

Anyone know the identity of the fetching tools shown in the footage?
Title: Re: 1947 Ben Pearson factory
Post by: D.Sheppard on February 22, 2016, 08:29:00 PM
Were they made by Fleetwood ??
Title: Re: 1947 Ben Pearson factory
Post by: Wade Phillips on February 22, 2016, 10:16:00 PM
Sorry they are not Fleetwood fletching jigs.
Title: Re: 1947 Ben Pearson factory
Post by: MR BILL SHORTY on February 22, 2016, 10:52:00 PM
tri heli fletch  by hoyt   :dunno:
Title: Re: 1947 Ben Pearson factory
Post by: Wade Phillips on February 24, 2016, 10:34:00 PM
Sorry, they are not Tri Heli Fletch by Hoyt.
Title: Re: 1947 Ben Pearson factory
Post by: warpedarrow on February 25, 2016, 09:15:00 AM
What fletching jig?  The best part of the video was the gal in the red two piece outfit.  

I tried to find images of vintage fletching jigs but didn't come up with much. The clamp looks like a JoJan but I couldn't find anything that looked like the rotary base.
Title: Re: 1947 Ben Pearson factory
Post by: papabear08 on February 25, 2016, 11:43:00 AM
I didn't watch the show but I assumed all the large maker s would have used Bitzenberger jigs.
Title: Re: 1947 Ben Pearson factory
Post by: MR BILL SHORTY on February 25, 2016, 07:35:00 PM
could they be ben pearson own design?   :help:
Title: Re: 1947 Ben Pearson factory
Post by: Wade Phillips on February 28, 2016, 03:20:00 PM
papabear08 - Sorry they are not Bitzenberger jigs

Bill - Yes, you are correct.

They are actually Ben Pearson jigs complete with the Pearson name on them.

Apparently not many guys are interested in collecting old fletching jigs, nor many guys who are fanatic Ben Pearson collectors hoarding everything made by Pearson from the golden era of archery...
Title: Re: 1947 Ben Pearson factory
Post by: SKITCH on February 29, 2016, 03:27:00 AM
That was great!  Thanks for posting.