Primitive Archer
Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: Keenan on August 24, 2011, 05:29:04 pm
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Yesterday I got a call from a friend that almost made me drop the phone. He said his neighbor was moving and as he was helping he noticed some long bows in the rafters. ;D ;D Knowing that I make them and and very interested in the history of archery he mentioned me and the gentleman told Charlie that he wanted the collection to go to someone who would appreciate it. He put me in touch with Gary Holt who was the shop forman of Bill Sweetland's archery shop.
When I pulled up my jaw must have been hanging wide open. As I was looking at several bundles of Compressed POC shafts and dozens of complete Sweetland arrows. From there my eyes focused to boxes of points, various tips, antique fletcher's, boxes of cut fletches, and boxes of differing vintage hunting points. He then started by pulling down a 1940 signed yew longbow, made by Gilman Keasy who tutored Don Adams.
Gilman Keasy was 1935 & 1936 NAA target champion. This in one of the bows that he made for the University of Oregon Archery team. This bow is still in incredible condition complete with original endless loop string and timber hitch.
He then pulled down three more bows, a Wing Archery recurve, a Martin Huntsman in mint condition, and a Ben Pearson take down in mint condition with original case.
I told him he had a very impressive collection that was worth allot and asked him what he wanted to do with it. I told him that some of it deserved to be in a museum and asked what part of it he was parting with? His reply made my knees go week. He said very calmly I'm parting with all of it. I trembled as I asked what he wanted for the collection. He said, I've wanted it to go to the right person and I think you are that person.
I am still sifting through the boxes of history and Gary has said he is willing to sit down and help me document some of the history from his years of working at the Sweetland archery facility/ He had mentioned having opportunities to hunt with some of the great like Damon Howatt and a few others. I think there is some good article material here. I'll get some pictures when I can get the time to sort through everything
I think that PA had done an article on Keasy in one of the very first issues. Going to have to do some more research.
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Lucky Dawg, Lucky Dawg....congrats bud, couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. looking forward to the future article in Pa 8)
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Too cool.I'm sure it will get a good home.Can't imagine going through that kind of heritage.
I'm drooling on my keyboard
Thanks Leroy
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post up some pics and congratz
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Lee, I already wore out the "lucky dog" when he called me on the phone. Dang, Keenan, you,,,lucky dawg! ;) I want lots of pictures, broadheads, and especially that Wing ;D.
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Here are some preview pics;
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0008.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0011.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0017.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0016.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0014.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0021.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0022.jpg)
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some more;
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0023.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0024.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0026.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0027.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0029.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0032.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0034.jpg)
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More to come
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Keenan, I've never seen a socketed Pearson like that. Is it transluscent green glass or cloth glass?
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Eddie it looks like a glass with paint. There is one spot on the limb where it looks like he sanded lightly showing the glass. I'll get some more pics for you.
Here are a few more of the points
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0039.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0040.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0041.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0042.jpg)
(http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c326/bornagainprimitve/DSC_0044.jpg)
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Those small game points are pretty cool looking. I wish someone made some like that now. Those 3 bladed points look like Bodkins, I've given away a bunch of them.
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Yep Eddie the majority of the # blades are bodkins, there are some other types as well and a few that I've never seen. Ther are some complete arrows in the bottom of the box that have various two blade points as well. Got to shut down for a while, Allot of thunder boomers right now.
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WOW, couldn't have given it to a better guy though, not even if he had given it to me. :-*
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Wow! Holly molley!!! :o :o And here I thought I needed to hang around with Eddie more often! :P
I hope you bought that Friend a bottle of his choice, and a nice steak dinner! Sheesh, what were the odds of that happening? 8) Well what goes around comes around, and it has landed in your lap! Well I guess you will be busy petting each bow, and going through each can, over and over again. Whew! Congratulations! So does your face hurt, or have you stopped grinning already? ;D ;D ;D Just be thankful that you have the Wife you have, and not one that would crinkle her nose, and put her hands on her hips, and declare that that junk is no coming in the house! >:(
Wayne
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I am so glad this happened to you, Keenan. You have given so much to this online community and to the community at large that this is just karma coming back to you!
A Keasy longbow? Don Adam's mentor? Oh wow, I'm stunned. I wouldn't accept that bow if you hand delivered it to my house. In this dry climate I'd foolishly string it and try shooting it....with disastrous results, but I still couldn't help myself!!!
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No humidity problem here ;D ;D ;).
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Getting a break between thunder storms; Guys thank you for the kind words but I certainly don't feel I deserve such a blessing.
Wayne, Yes my face is seemingly frozen with a permanent grin. ;D And yes I'm very thankfull that Lulyn was as excited about it as me! ;)
JW, Yes it is very tempting to string the yew but I know better. I'd feel like an extream idiot if something happened to it. So as much as I would love to see the braced profile, not going to happen.
Justin, for all you do I'd have to disagree. ;D
Dave AKA "Juniper Junky" came over a few hours ago and help fill me in on some of the items. I had to keep a close eye on him,, ::) LOL He started to look allot like Willey Coyote ready to pounce on the Road Runner. >:D
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Boy Pat sure has timing doesn't he. You better find a safe hiding place. >:D >:D
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What an incredably cool gift. 8) I bet you can feel the energy coming from that lot!!!
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Way cool!
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Very cool stuff right there,couldn't think of a better person to receive it. :)
Pappy
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Most excellent collection Kennan.
Sure glad someone that loves archery got it.
After you get all the history down, bring a few of the best idems to the Classic so the rest of us can see the "Real Thing". ;D
David
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Most excellent collection Kennan.
Sure glad someone that loves archery got it.
After you get all the history down, bring a few of the best idems to the Classic so the rest of us can see the "Real Thing". ;D
David
Now that is a good idea!
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HOLY CRAP,what is going on with you....that is a butt load of history and that yew bow is great...IS THERE any way of getting a pic of the growth rings...iust wanted to see the quality of yew they used back then.....keenan,you might not think that you deserve it..BUT,GOD wouldnt put it in your lap if you didnt....and the shafts should be like a fine wine....BLESSINGS....john
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Couldn't have happened to a more deserving person......Looking forward to an article, with loads of pictures, in an upcoming PA...
Good luck with the upcoming archery season and shoot straight!! :)
"Evil Dave"
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John Thank you. The ring count is fairly high. When I did some research on Gilman Keasy he was very know for his yew selection. Preferred yew above 2500' elev. and was reported to let it cure for minimum 4 years. Dave and I work talking about that yesterday and pondering weather that was because of the greater moisture in the valley.
I'll try to get some pics up for you when I can. Getting ready to head out for the elk camp.
Evil Dave; Thank you as well, We'll see you up there at camp!
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Nice haul of goods!!
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:oThat is too cool man,the archery gods love you!!!
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ohhh going to elk camp.well i will just let you go so lynn can shoot a bull for you....LOL..BLESSINGS...john