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Main Boards => The Bowyer's Bench => Topic started by: DirtyDan on September 02, 2008, 03:45:00 PM

Title: comanche horse bow
Post by: DirtyDan on September 02, 2008, 03:45:00 PM

I built this sinew-backed chokecherry bow in the Plains Indian style several years ago.  It is 48" long and pulls 48# at 25" It is made from a branch of a chokecherry tree that is native to the High Plains area of the Texas Panhandle.  I cut this branch from a tree on a branch of the Brazos River near Lubbock, Texas.  I wanted to see if I could make a Comanche-style bow from it.  I recurved it slightly while it was still green, then thinned it down on both the back and the belly, leaving only the handle section round.  I then put three layers of sinew on it. (http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/spiermo/chokecherry%20bow/comancheside.jpg) (http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/spiermo/chokecherry%20bow/comanchefulldraw.jpg) (http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/spiermo/chokecherry%20bow/comanchebraced.jpg) (http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm219/spiermo/chokecherry%20bow/comanchebowfront.jpg)

Title: Re: comanche horse bow
Post by: BLACK WOLF on September 02, 2008, 04:09:00 PM

AWESOME!

Ray  ;)

Title: Re: comanche horse bow
Post by: Dano on September 02, 2008, 04:24:00 PM

For such a short bow I would have used more of the limbs, it looks like all the work is being done in the inner thirds. But hey, I'm still learning.

Title: Re: comanche horse bow
Post by: Bert Frelink on September 02, 2008, 04:24:00 PM

Very Very NICE!!!!!
How wide is it Dano?
  :D    :bigsmyl:

Title: Re: comanche horse bow
Post by: JEFF B on September 02, 2008, 06:23:00 PM

cool looking bow  dan

Title: Re: comanche horse bow
Post by: **DONOTDELETE** on September 02, 2008, 06:26:00 PM

that is sweet...

Title: Re: comanche horse bow
Post by: Dano on September 02, 2008, 06:31:00 PM

I dunno Bert   :confused:    :bigsmyl:

Title: Re: comanche horse bow
Post by: DirtyDan on September 02, 2008, 08:52:00 PM

It is 1 1/4" wide at the widest, about 5/8 at the tips.  Dano, I am sure that you are right about using more of the limbs, but these stiff limbed reflexed bows really fling an arrow, so I never tried to tiller it to a more circular shape.

Title: Re: comanche horse bow
Post by: Dano on September 02, 2008, 09:14:00 PM

Yep, I know, I like that in a longer bow.

Title: Re: comanche horse bow
Post by: BLACK WOLF on September 02, 2008, 09:21:00 PM

My favorite bow that I have made is similar to this one. A 60" Plain's Indian Hybrid but it's a little more gull winged shaped.

Ray  ;)