Bulgarian horn bow 7-9 centry

Stilian Stefanov · Post by **Stilian Stefanov** » Tue Apr 09, 2013 7:22 pm

Hi! This is my interpretation of a Bulgarian horn bow 7-9cr. Mulberry wood(no splice),ram horn,horse sinew. 100 lb at 28"

Stilian Stefanov · Post by **Stilian Stefanov** » Tue Apr 09, 2013 7:25 pm

Stilian Stefanov · Post by **Stilian Stefanov** » Tue Apr 09, 2013 7:30 pm

Stilian Stefanov · Post by **Stilian Stefanov** » Tue Apr 09, 2013 7:35 pm

Total length 135 sm. thickness for limb 17 mm.

Todd the archer · Post by **Todd the archer** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 12:34 am

Very interesting what are you using for a string?

Todd

Stilian Stefanov · Post by **Stilian Stefanov** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 6:49 am

Flax,three parts.

Stilian

Dediu00ro · Post by **Dediu00ro** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 8:48 am

I really like it, is this composite bow specific to your region? Its the first one i see, wonder if they could be using this model of a bow in Romania also.
Tiller looks great, the handle a little big i think. How does it shoot? Anyway excelent work

.

Stilian Stefanov · Post by **Stilian Stefanov** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 11:35 am

Bone plates handles this period ranged from 27 - 35 cm. I think that this design covers much of eastern Europe and western Asia. I strive for an objective and correct reconstruction, and use scientific articles. And sorry for my English.

Uli · Post by **Uli** » Wed Apr 10, 2013 2:57 pm

very interesting replica.
only few bowyers have made bone-plated composite replicas.

lukasznawalny · Post by **lukasznawalny** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 7:10 am

Very intresting bow. Can you show picture unstrung? I think in this design possible is selfbow tillering without tepeliks. Long handle should increase arrow speed in this model.

TZH · Post by **TZH** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 2:21 pm

You have made a very fine bow!

The handle-antlerplates remember me on the hunnic ones, the siya plates on the early avar bows. This particulary style was used somewhere in the time of Asparu, wasn't it?

Didn't you have trouble with the antlers? I made recently two bows (just for an exhibition, in 3 weeks), and the cutting and grinding of the antler-pieces was a torture.

How many plates have you used? 6, 7, 11?

Do you have that relative new bulgarian book dealing with the nomadic weapon-finds from the 7-11 th Century?

Stilian Stefanov · Post by **Stilian Stefanov** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 4:52 pm

The handle is typical Bulgarian (very long). Yes, the bow is Khan Asparuh period. Built with 9 bone plates (now I understand why this type of bow rarely reconstruct) beef bone. The book is difficult to use in archeology on E. V. Kruglov 2005

Arry · Post by **Arry** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 6:06 pm

Beautiful bow, congratulations!

But where exactly are the 9 bone plates? I guess 4 in the tips - and the other 5?

TZH · Post by **TZH** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 7:09 pm

I guess 3 on the handle and the other 3-3 on the siyahs, 2 on the sides and one on the belly? The avar bows had 4 on the siyas.

Nice to see the one piece wood core, probably the weaker kasan needed the + antler plates. That would make sence on bows with not too wide arms, I think.

Stilian Stefanov · Post by **Stilian Stefanov** » Fri Apr 12, 2013 7:33 pm