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A note on fitting forged heads.

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SimonUK:
Having made a total of 4 terrible quality arrowheads without a mandrel, I know my opinion doesn't count for much, but I can see a possible problem with a mandrel - the tip would get bent.

I know mandrels are used, here is one: http://www.englishwarbow.com/arrowhead_0001.wmv but I wonder how sharp the tip can be? After all you are whacking it with a big hammer and it would be too thin to stand that for long. I'd guess they are mainly useful for shaping the ferule towards the opening end.

Rod:
Mark,
A mandrel could be used to make the ferrule of more precisely uniform dimensions. There is no reason to suppose that the head would be damaged except by careles handling.
In fact one of the ways a head can be trued up is to hold the ferrule on a mandrel and tap the head against a block until it comes into line or make a straightening clamp specific to a type of head and clamp down bringing the head into line.
I doubt that they did more than roll the ferrule onto a mandrel, later sorting out any rejects if they had the time or inclination.
But I guess the better archers might have done the logical thing and selected true heads for accurate shafts, much as a rifle marksman will be more selective about all practical aspects affecting accuracy.
The run of the mill guys would just take the livery issue, perhaps being a little selective, checking the shafts for ones that were worth setting aside, if they had the time or inclination.
But for massed fire in a battle situation you would probably shoot anything that was put in front of you.
Not to say that there were not ongoing administrative issues with quality control which were addressed from time to time.
Rod.

Rod:

--- Quote from: MattE on September 11, 2007, 09:23:02 am ---Rod, a void at the base of the shaft would surely spread the ferrule open on impact.I have no proof but I am certain in my mind that a mandrel was used . Man has always been smart and by looking at the sophisticated machinery of the day, this minor problem would have been eliminated rather quickly. Heads were being hammer forged by other cultures.     

--- End quote ---

Matt,
This is exactly what happened in the test Mark made and reported inThe Glade. The impact opened up the ferrule.
Rod.

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