Bar Hill composite bow bone stiffener dimensions?

[AuxArcher]

Salve, all. I hope someone can help, and forgive me if I just didn't see this addressed elsewhere.

I'm building a composite bow, have the wood core and sinew and horn all ready, but am stuck on one point. Does anyone have an idea what the length of the bone sirray / ear stiffner is that was found on Bar Hill? I came up with 5.25 inches long, and wonder if it might be a bit longer?

Thanks!

[jonwr]

Go to this site and scroll and click on discussion forum.
Those folks have a lot of knowledge.
http://www.atarn.org/frameindex.htm
Jon R

[AuxArcher]

Thanks Jon. I am familiar with that site, but no where can I see Roman archery. Lots of composites and Asiatic style bows, of course.

The Bar Hill stiffners are pretty well know, but I want to confirm the basic dimensions of the bone stiffners. Some, I hope, around here knows that info.

[jonwr]

Heres what I got from a friend. You may have already read the piece
"There is a discussion of them in Jon Coulston's work on Roman Archery. It has photos and dimensions of the antler lathes"
Hope it helps.
Jon R.

[Martin Moser]

Hi Dane,

Heres what I got from a friend. You may have already read the piece
"There is a discussion of them in Jon Coulston's work on Roman Archery. It has photos and dimensions of the antler lathes"

if it's in there and you don't already have it I can look it up for you.

[AuxArcher]

Martin, that would be great!

[D B Campbell]

Does anyone have an idea what the length of the bone sirray / ear stiffner is that was found on Bar Hill?

Six pieces from five antler laths (apparently three sinister and two dexter, when viewed as upper laths) were found at Bar Hill.

Coulston gives the following dimensions:
1. 27cm x 2cm tapering to 0.9cm
2. 8.5cm x 1.5cm
3. 6.5cm x 1.5cm
4. 13cm
5. 6.1cm

For original publication of finds, you'd need to acquire A.S. Robertson et al., Bar Hill: A Roman fort and its finds (BAR: Oxford, 1975).

[AuxArcher]

DB, thanks! The first set of dimensions sounds exactly correct for the size of the composite bow I have in mind. Now I can make the ears, and continue with the rest of construction. I will source the paper you cited, as well.

BTW, your Roman artillery book has been immensely helpful as I build my scorpio. Legio III will fielding my machine, and Fred's ballista and onager by next campaign season, as well as a wood frame "manuballista" I'm concurrently building.

[Martin Moser]

ah, DB beat me to it ...

All the best for your project, Dane!

[AuxArcher]

Danke, Martin! And thanks for the luck - will need a bit of that, I will post projects as they come to successful fuition. The failures, however, perhaps not.

I was stationed near Munchen when I was in the service, btw, and really loved that city. I was actually closer to Augsburg, and used to take the train from Augsburg to Munich a lot. I never did get to the famous Hafbrauhaus (spelling?), though.

[D B Campbell]

BTW, your Roman artillery book has been immensely helpful as I build my scorpio.

Thanks, Dane! Keep us posted on your progress.

[AuxArcher]

Duncan, thank you. I was remiss not thanking you before, and I will certainly post as I make progress. Tomorrow, I am picking up some more ash, both for the "manuballista" (still not certain what to call it) and for the scorpio stand. I'm going with the Schramm stand design. This project, among other things, has forced me to learn how to make mortise and tennon joints, with a chisel (ah, for a mortising machine. Just kidding).

[ratty]

hello

i was just wondering does anyone know what animal the bone siyahs were made from and what part of the animal they used?


i apologise if this is written somewhere else, but i cant find it anywhere

thanks

[jonwr]

Just go over to the posted link and ask your question on the general forum there.
Thats where I got the ref to Coulston' works re the original question.
Those guys are only to pleased to help and answer questions.
Who knows you may find more than you had hoped for :lol:
http://www.atarn.org/frameindex.htm
Jon R (Cynric)