Somewhere around ten thousand years ago in scattered parts of the world, the bow was starting to replace or supplement the spear and the atlatl. European archeological sites and records reveal rich evidence of prototypic self longbows of the flat variety going back about 9,000 years, and others with deep "D" sections reaching back perhaps 5,000 years.

Select replicas of some of these ancient European weapons are offered as well as some of the bows of modern history. Bows from Poland and Hungary are in the Asian section because their archery culture has originated in Asia more than in Europe.

The artifacts of this replica are in the Copenhagen Museum, some 60 miles east of the Holmegarrd bog where they were found, layer dated at about 9,000 years old. Made from elm saplings taken near that bog into a 69" bow, 2+" limbs at the widest point, and a 6+" brace height. Nocks are simply bulbous rings of red deer sinew fixed in hide glue. Linseed oil finish. String is Irish Flax treated many times with beeswax, rather than replicating sinew, plant fiber, or rawhide strings. A 60# bow with a 28" draw casts a 550 grain arrow at 160 fps. $499, $90 shipping.

Matching pine or viburnum arrows with gray goose or mute swan fletchings fastened with tar and sinew, $35 with field points, and $50 with knapped flint.

This beautiful yew bow is by Paul Rodgers of California. The back view of the Holmegarrd calls for a narrowed handle, very wide limbs abruptly narrowing about 1’ from the tips. The side view features a intregral "built-up" handle with fairly parallel limbs which actually thicken about 1’ from the tips. Specifications as requested with full 28" draw. $370.

The roots for these two models may reach back a little over 4,000 years and are based on artifacts pulled from bogs in England. The Meare Heath is a paddle type bow with very wide limbs extending clear out to the tip. Limbs were usually bound with sinew (probably in geometric patterns). The Ashcott is a narrow and deep limbed bow resembling the Victorian English longbow. Both custom made to specifications by Hilary Greenland in England. $499 plus $120 or for shipping.

Head longbow may be matched with Larry Snell English influence quiver ($125) and a dozen arrows by Michael Reape from Germany ($130 plus $40 shipping) or a set of 8 footed victorian target arrows by Richard Head ($267 plus $40 shipping).

A unique reproduction of a type of bow from Abbey of Bows in Lausanne, Switzerland from the 1800s, but dating back to the 1500s in Italy as well. Limbs are reflexed by about 4" and are of a medium oval shape in cross section. Bow pictured is of a rare French timber called libernum. Orders will usually be of another substitute such as osage. Carved horn tips. Bows made by well-know bowyer Chris Boyton who apprenticed under the recently deceased Richard Galloway. $590 plus $120 for shipping.

Inspired by bows used by the Italian armies in the 14th and 15th centuries (documented by Alessio Cenni). 68" for draws up to 27" and 70" for draws up to 29" Exotic dark hardwood core sandwiched between laminations of light colored wood such as lemon wood. Made by Hilary Greenland of Sylvan Archery. Wrapped calfskin handle.$499 plus $125 shipping.

Heavy duty sock $25.00, special stringer $15, and extra two-color string $25. Footed arrows to match the core wood of the bow, brass bullet points, self nocks, shield fletchings, set of 6 for $149.

Fantastic work of art made by Gerald Welch of Alaska from fine Cascade yew cut at 4,000 feet tipped with light-colored horn and with a wrapped strip leather handle. Light-colored layer on the back is sapwood plus a layer of rawhide added for preservation. 75" long. Two dacron strings and a nice green felt sock with a soft leather tie. The bow pictured pulls about 55# and was built for a 29 1 /2 " draw. Shoots like you are on air. Specify draw weight and draw length. $670.00

Also ask about the self yew & laminated longbows of Jay St. Charles at Pacific Yew, Inc.

Several dozen styles of medieval arrowheads by leading makers in England. English Broadhead is $16. Bodkin is $12. Both hand-forged in England.

English War Arrow, heavy, thick ash shaft, lace fletchings, horn reinforced self nock, with very large hand-forged broadhead by Richard Head in England, $80 plus shipping from England.

The Traditional Archer’s Handbook: A Practical Guide, by Hilary Greenland. On shooting and making implements, mostly for the beginner. 91 pages, $11.

The Military Archer At Sea, by Hugh David Soar. A 24-page outline of the use of the bow at sea by European archers when the bow was a major weapon. $3.00.

The Bow: Some Notes on its Origin and Development, by Gad Rausing (chemist , archeologist, and archer). Extremely valuable collection on the origins of archery around the world, and of implements since the time of Christ. For example, about eight pages on ancient Avar and Magyar bows. Valuable drawings. Slightly oversized cloth, 200 pages. $79.

Such Goodly Company, Barbara Megson. A glimpse into the life of the bowyers of London from 1300 to 1600. Hard cover, 100 pages.$29. Ayme for Finsbury Archers, by James Partridge, originally 1628 A.D. Reprinted in very limited edition. An unusual insight into this company of archers, origins, performance records, distances, etc. One hundred-ninety targets or marks described, from the days of King Henry VIII, the archer King. $49.00.

Medieval Archery, by Jim Bradbury. From the Norman Conquest to the War of the Roses, a thorough but very readable account of the battles in which the bow was decisive. Challenges a number of myths. $20.00

An Archer Looks at the Bible, by David F. Hill. Covering Biblical history from 800 B.C. and examining the 130 references to the bow and arrow in the Old and New Testament and the Apocrypha. Rather rare, 100 pages. Forward by Robert Hardy. $33.00.

The New Penquin Atlas of Medieval History, by Colin McEvedy. Clear graphic mapping of the movements of the horse-archers starting with the Scythians, then the Huns, Avars, Magyars, and the Mongols. $12.95, Canada $16.99, Australia $17.95.

The Outlaws of Sherwood. Edited by Robin McKinley. A Mass Market paperback edition of the legend of Robin Hood and company. Never too young or too old for this one. $6.95.

The Black Arrow, by Robert Louis Stevenson. A new beautifully illustrated release of an old classic. A feast of adventure, archery, history, and romance. $25.00.

CD, Road of the Gypsie. Breathtaking emotion from many gypsy bands from Northern India to Spain. Rousing, inspiring and intricate. Two CDs. $30.98.

CD, Radio Tarifa—Rumba Argelina. Made a huge stir in Europe. Rare and moving fusion of medieval European, Moorish, Spanish, and contemporary African. Originates in Tarifa, the southern tip of Spain. $17.98.