[Archers] Bolt caps

[Groff, Garth (ggg9y)]

M’Lord Siegfried,

Thanks much. Your description was my alternative to the slot cut across the shaft. I suppose it could be done with simple hand tools. That’s pretty much all our ancestors had. I will have to think about this

Yours Aye,

Lord Mungo Napier, The Archer of Mallard Lodge
Read “The Tale of Mungo Napier”:
http://people.virginia.edu/~ggg9y/napier1.html



From: Siegfried [mailto:siegfried at crossbows.biz]
Sent: Friday, March 29, 2013 8:20 AM
To: Groff, Garth (ggg9y)
Cc: Atlantian Archers
Subject: Re: [Archers] Bolt caps

I have seen no historical reference to bolt caps.

FWIW - I've seen period lether fletching as well as modern reproductions of it. And no need for an end cap for safety.

The historical examples I've been able to see had a shallow groove cut into each side of the bolt as a receptacle.

About a 16th of an inch deep, maybe a hair more. Width equal to the thickness of the leather. Length matching the fletch.

The fletch was then glued into the groove. The nature of the groove would 2x or 3x the glue surfaces available and make for a stronger bond.

The system works well.

(Also note that no period bolt is 5/16" diameter that I've seen. 3/8" would be about the minimum. Giving you plenty of wood to work with)

--
Siegfried
Sent with Sparrow<http://www.sparrowmailapp.com/?sig>


On Friday, March 29, 2013 at 7:43 AM, Groff, Garth (ggg9y) wrote:

Noble Friends,



Thank you all for your advice on the bolt caps, and especially sources. One more question for you all to ponder. Have bolt caps any historical precedent? My idea was to make replica bolts with leather vanes as an A&S-type project, and make them safe to shoot (at least as a test). If bolt caps are not period, then they are the wrong solution to this problem and I will need to look at other options, perhaps other ways of mounting the vanes.



By the way, a friend who makes bolts tried some with wooden vanes, apparently historically accurate. He said they flew well, but the vanes were easily damaged (not surprising). I’m sure wooden vanes were intended for one-use ammunition.



Yours Aye,



Lord Mungo Napier, The Archer of Mallard Lodge

Read “The Tale of Mungo Napier”:

http://people.virginia.edu/~ggg9y/napier1.html












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