[Archers] New Bow Classification (Period)

[Peter Darby]

Just for general discussion, here are some thoughts.  By definition my fancy
modern longbow could be classed as a period bow.  It is 1/8 inch off
centercut and the core is of wood.  To me a period bow would be any that
could have been produced five or six hundred years ago.   It should be a bow
that anyone with some basic tools could make. (i.e ELB, wooden recurve, and
of course for those people especially talented or with a lot of time on
their hands a horns, sinew and wood bow.)  Laminations of wood I would allow
since many of the best bow woods tend to be somewhat expensive such as yew
and Osage. I would further state that a period bow should replicate some
existing historical bow.  Here is where is would get tricky; I would
disallow a period bow if the bow had been modified from what we know to have
existed in period.  For example an ELB with a cut in shelf or a Turkish bow
with a built up shelf.

I would stick with a definition that requires a period bow to be true to a
historical type.  If you try to put specific dimensions on a bow you will
have people who will look for ways to get a better shooting bow by skirting
the rules.  I.E.  Most modern longbows are cut only 1/8 inch off center so
traditional archers can shoot in longbow competitions since most trad.
events don't allow centercut longbows in the longbow category.  Perhaps if
our period category became a source of pride for archers who are trying to
reproduce historical equipment.  Their target accomplishments would then be
ancillary to the interest and pride in their equipment.

Colum


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Siegfried" <crossbow at freeshell.org>
To: <archers at atlantia.sca.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 11:16 PM
Subject: [Archers] New Bow Classification (Period)


> Greetings unto the target archery marshals of Atlantia.
>
> At Unevent it was announced that a new 'Period Handbow' division would
> be created for the Royal Rounds (and the Seasonal Challenge).
>
> I apologize for it taking so long to get back to the group with the
> wording for this; however it because obvious that it was a little hard
> to word and make everyone happy.
>
> Therefore, I have included below the current wording for the distinction
> of the different bow classifications.  This is the current 'best
> wording' as has been discussed by a number of marshals and myself, well,
> to death.
>
> Realize when reading these, that the intent of this Period Handbow
> category, is to hold bows of PERIODish CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE/MATERIAL.
>   It isn't meant to include arrows (ala IKAC), and it isn't meant to
> hold a period style bow made completely from modern materials (ala
> IKAC).  It also was desired to have this be written in an exclusive
> manner, meaning that a single bow could/would not classify for multiple
> categories (ala IKAC).  Please read the rule with that in mind ...
>
> Pasted below is the current wording.  I am sending this out for Open
> discussion.  Pass it around, talk about it, talk to me about it, talk on
> this list about it.  I will keep it open for discussion until next
> Thursday night (1 week).  At which point, on Friday, I will make a final
> modification of the rules if needed and they will go live - it can
> always be tweaked later if needed.
>
> Ruling below:
>
> 8. Bows will be classified into the following bow types. Each bow shall
> only be classified as one of the following bow types, with precedence
> given to the type listed higher on the list. This means, for example,
> that if you have a bow that qualifies as a Period Handbow, you may not
> use it to also score rounds as a 'Longbow'. When in doubt, contact the
> Kingdom Target Archery Marshal for clarification. Note that these
> classifications may differ from other Kingdoms, IKAC, Winter Challenge,
> etc.
>
> a. Crossbow - This category holds all crossbows. (Bows mounted to a
> stock, with a mechanical release). No crossbows with a modern rifle or
> air-rifle-style stock shall be used; therefore, all crossbows are of
> period-style, and therefore there is no separate period category for
> crossbows.
>
> b. Period Handbow - This category is designed to hold all handbows of
> period construction. Made in a period manner only allowing moderate
> changes for modern safety. This category therefore holds all bows, be
> they straight or recurved, that meet the following construction
guidelines:
>
> b.1.The bow shall not have a center cut arrow shelf. Built-up shelves
> (such as a piece of cork wrapped onto the bow), markings, or narrow
> notches (no more than an arrow width), are acceptible.
>
> b.2.The bow must have a solid core of wood, or other period material. It
> may have a single backing, and/or a belly lamination of any material.
> However a period handbow should not simply have three thin laminations
> with the power coming from the laminations.
>
> c. Recurve - This covers all other SCA legal bows, that have their tips
> recurved (curved away from the archer) when the bow is strung. It does
> not matter how severe the curving is.
>
> d. Longbow - This then holds all other SCA legal handbows, not described
> above.
>
>
> Siegfried
>
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