Native American Arrows

Ronald · 6th September 2007, 10:35 AM

Hello dear Jim,

I guess, I shall find some information in my library. Don't think this will become a riddle.

Many greetings!

Ronald

Tim Simmons · 6th September 2007, 11:46 AM

I am waiting for a customer to call which has given me some time to play with. These are extracts from "Indian & Eskimo Artifacts of North America" 1962, Charles Miles, Bonanza. It is available from USA amazon and silly cheap, you are daft if you do not order one. These are the pics of the more recent arrows.

Tim Simmons · 6th September 2007, 11:54 AM

Tim Simmons · 6th September 2007, 11:58 AM

Berkley · 6th September 2007, 01:23 PM

Quote:

It is available from USA amazon and silly cheap

Wow, were you ever right about the price, Tim

Just ordered a used copy from the closest source (not even the lowest price) for less than a hamburger and fries! Thanks.
Berk

Jim McDougall · 6th September 2007, 05:03 PM

Excellent resource Tim! Thank you so much for posting the illustrations as well. It seems that the shape and material used in the heads does differ quite a lot between varying tribes, and that certainly would be key in identifying certain arrows. I can always remember watching old western movies where the grizzled old wagonmaster would pick up an arrow and pronounce, "yup, thats a Cheyenne arrow allright!". I was completely intrigued by how this guy could simply look at an arrow and know instantly what tribe it was from. Naturally, Hollywood elaborated and embellished these dramatics, but even in my wide eyed young naievete, I knew that there were many distinguishing differences between tribes in both dress and weaponry.
In recent visits to locations where many of these tribes are still situated, my interest has been greatly rekindled from the somewhat latent interest that has remained all these years. While studying the ethnographic weapons of so many other countries for so many years, I have suddenly realized the wealth of history here in my own backyard!

Hi Ronald! Its so great to have you post on this, and I know you will find something in that library of yours!!!

It has always amazed me that there has always been a strong fascination in Europe, especially Germany, for our 'wild west' and I believe there is good literature on the topic there.
Looking forward to hearing more!!!

All the best,
Jim

fearn · 6th September 2007, 07:25 PM

One of my real favorites on the topic of archery is the Traditional Bowyer's Bible series, particularly the first volume. In the first volume is a great article on western Indian arrows.

Note that these books are really for people who want to make traditional bows and arrows, not collectors. They won't directly help you authenticate a piece. They will help you determine whether the arrow is authentic in the sense that it would fly straight, what use it was designed for (like the skipping arrows used for hunting waterfowl in the western US), etc. The first volume in particular focuses on native american bows and arrows, but subsequent volumes talk about archery on other continents.

Also, these should be available from Amazon.

My 0.02 cents,

F

6th September 2007, 10:35 AM	#1
Ronald Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Heidelberg/Germany Posts: 9	American Indian arrows Hello dear Jim, I guess, I shall find some information in my library. Don't think this will become a riddle. Many greetings! Ronald

6th September 2007, 11:54 AM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	More

6th September 2007, 11:58 AM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	last one

6th September 2007, 11:46 AM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	I am waiting for a customer to call which has given me some time to play with. These are extracts from "Indian & Eskimo Artifacts of North America" 1962, Charles Miles, Bonanza. It is available from USA amazon and silly cheap, you are daft if you do not order one. These are the pics of the more recent arrows.

6th September 2007, 05:03 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Excellent resource Tim! Thank you so much for posting the illustrations as well. It seems that the shape and material used in the heads does differ quite a lot between varying tribes, and that certainly would be key in identifying certain arrows. I can always remember watching old western movies where the grizzled old wagonmaster would pick up an arrow and pronounce, "yup, thats a Cheyenne arrow allright!". I was completely intrigued by how this guy could simply look at an arrow and know instantly what tribe it was from. Naturally, Hollywood elaborated and embellished these dramatics, but even in my wide eyed young naievete, I knew that there were many distinguishing differences between tribes in both dress and weaponry. In recent visits to locations where many of these tribes are still situated, my interest has been greatly rekindled from the somewhat latent interest that has remained all these years. While studying the ethnographic weapons of so many other countries for so many years, I have suddenly realized the wealth of history here in my own backyard! Hi Ronald! Its so great to have you post on this, and I know you will find something in that library of yours!!! It has always amazed me that there has always been a strong fascination in Europe, especially Germany, for our 'wild west' and I believe there is good literature on the topic there. Looking forward to hearing more!!! All the best, Jim

6th September 2007, 07:25 PM	#7
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	One of my real favorites on the topic of archery is the Traditional Bowyer's Bible series, particularly the first volume. In the first volume is a great article on western Indian arrows. Note that these books are really for people who want to make traditional bows and arrows, not collectors. They won't directly help you authenticate a piece. They will help you determine whether the arrow is authentic in the sense that it would fly straight, what use it was designed for (like the skipping arrows used for hunting waterfowl in the western US), etc. The first volume in particular focuses on native american bows and arrows, but subsequent volumes talk about archery on other continents. Also, these should be available from Amazon. My 0.02 cents, F