Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: horatio1226 on January 13, 2009, 08:58:39 am

Title: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: horatio1226 on January 13, 2009, 08:58:39 am
I was reading a thread on Mohawk bows on this site and began to wonder why I didn't have one of these bowa. I am the Cubmaster here in Coxsackie, NY in the Hudson Valley. I use Native American lore in all my ceremonies.We are famous for our flint mine. Natives came from all over the northeast to collect flint. In fact it is located on Flint Mine Road. We protect it as animportant site. Anyway, my great great grandmother was a Mohawk and I thought it would be nice to try a Mohawk style bow. Does anybody know where I can buy one or get one made? If you have one, could you please post a picture of it? Thanks! I'm a new guy here and love the site
Brian
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: Cromm on January 13, 2009, 10:54:07 am
Hi,
Welcome to PA.
How about making one? There's lots of people here who could help you out!!!
Thanks for your time.
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: JackCrafty on January 13, 2009, 01:32:17 pm
I'm sure you will be able to find someone who could make one of these bows for you on this forum, but it may be expensive.  I would definitely try making one first if I were you. ;)
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: horatio1226 on January 13, 2009, 03:14:44 pm
Thanks guys. I have some nice hickory staves but no time to make one. I would be willing to trade some staves for one.

This is probably half of what I have:
(http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z267/horatio1226/hickorystaves003.jpg)
(http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z267/horatio1226/hickorystaves002.jpg)
(http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z267/horatio1226/hickorystaves001.jpg)
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: sailordad on January 13, 2009, 06:55:46 pm
all that wood and you cant find time to make a bow.

sheez i wish i had that much wood laying around just waiting to have all the extra taken off of it so you can see the bow thats inside of it.
ya offering to give wood away might just get ya someone to make it for ya,wish i knew how to make it. i would do it for free wood.
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: Dean Marlow on January 13, 2009, 07:11:29 pm
Hello Brian nice to see you on here. Somebody will jump on this deal. Those look like top of the line Hickory staves to me. Dean
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: Dane on January 13, 2009, 08:43:46 pm
Brian, I just glanced at the Jim Hamm Encyclopedia of Native American bows, vol. I. He only shows one Mohawk bow, a beauty, made of hickory, a 72" recurved bow, with carved docorations painted red, and green all the way up and down the bow, and red yarn wrapped tips.

I live in Western Mass, and there was a lot of activity in this area that had to do with the Mohawks. And, I am very much interested in seeing and photographing the flint mines, as they are connected with natives from this area, back to Paleo times, perhaps.

Taking on this project will be highly challenging, and I couldnt think about it until at least the spring, but let's talk. 

Dane
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: horatio1226 on January 13, 2009, 09:57:02 pm
Hey Dean! How are you? Should have known I would see you here. I didn't even know about this site until I decided to purchase a James Parker Bamboo Dragon recently and was trying to do some research. I got a bunch of those staves and can get more. I bet you been building some nice ones. I'd love to see some pics if you get a chance.

Dane, I would love to talk to you about it sometime. Spring is just around the corner!

Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: AKAPK on January 14, 2009, 12:48:04 am
Ya mean one like this,I would do it But I live in  Northern california.PK

[attachment deleted by admin]
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: horatio1226 on January 25, 2009, 12:23:01 am
Just like that one. It sure is a nice bow!
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: Kviljo on January 25, 2009, 04:07:11 pm
Or like this one? I don't know anything about it other than that it is kept in the Ethnografic section at the National Museum of Norway, and that it is sinew-backet :) Perhaps it is Osage?

(http://kviljo.no/bue/khm/1/image7.jpg)

(http://kviljo.no/bue/a.jpg)

(http://kviljo.no/bue/khm/1/image1.jpg)

(http://kviljo.no/bue/khm/1/image20.jpg)
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: horatio1226 on January 25, 2009, 08:52:44 pm
The similarity is amazing! Thanks for posting !
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: salad days on January 25, 2009, 08:56:10 pm
Looking at that arrow, you can see why other native americans feared the Mohawks. That really looks like it would leave a mark. :o
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: Traxx on January 25, 2009, 09:11:30 pm
But,What i have seen in many museums.The way they have the arrow resting on the bow,they have it backwards.Those "Decorative" Nocks are not just Decorative,they are also to keep the string from leaveing the tips at full draw.That bow,is a sinew backed,Deflex Reflex style.Not a reflex deflex,the way they have it set up to be.Thank goodness,that string is slack and they dont have it strung up backwards,as i have seen many,in other museums.I even informed our State Museum about theirs,and got a look like i had 3 heads.LOL
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: JackCrafty on January 26, 2009, 03:36:42 pm
Yep, that bow looks like it's strung backwards.
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: Hillbilly on January 26, 2009, 03:38:20 pm
Naw, just a traditional sinewed-belly bow.....;D  :P
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: coyote pup on January 26, 2009, 04:43:56 pm
Yes, far be it from a man who actually uses reproductions of these weapons in a modern-day setting, to know anything about it more than the historian or anthropologist who set up the exhibit. Unbelievable!
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: uwe on January 30, 2009, 03:51:41 pm
Yes, and because of this lots of the old bows in museums were broken, because they didn`t know how to brace it the correct way.
Regards Uwe
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: horatio1226 on January 30, 2009, 08:14:35 pm
When I went to the Iroquois Museum here in the Mohawk Valley to look at the bows, I was told that they don't have bows and arrows on display because of the children going through the museum. They didn't want them exposed to the "weapons".
You could see the exhibit of the Native American players in the Major Leagues, but no bows, arrows,or knives. They probably strung the bow backwards on purpose.
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: Dane on January 30, 2009, 09:20:09 pm
I guess it is time to ban cartoons too. Oh, the violence. :)
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: horatio1226 on January 30, 2009, 11:19:08 pm
Odd how they can disregard such an important part of their culture, such as protecting and feeding themselves.
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: Coo-wah-chobee on January 30, 2009, 11:55:38 pm
When I went to the Iroquois Museum here in the Mohawk Valley to look at the bows, I was told that they don't have bows and arrows on display because of the children going through the museum. They didn't want them exposed to the "weapons".
You could see the exhibit of the Native American players in the Major Leagues, but no bows, arrows,or knives. They probably strung the bow backwards on purpose.
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......." Par for the course here " ta borrow an analogy. Modern times ya know..........bob
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: AKAPK on January 31, 2009, 04:35:25 am
Who is making the Bow For Trade?
Title: Re: Mohawk Indian Bows
Post by: horatio1226 on January 31, 2009, 01:50:51 pm
Dane is making me one, but I am definitely open to offers.  It wouldn't kill me to have more than one draw weight or even a different style of bow.  I still have some staves.