four feather fletching , Egytian self bows

Mike McKinney · Post by **Mike McKinney** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 2:13 am

Greetings all a couple of years ago I participated in an SCA archery event I did not have my own bow and arrows do I used one of the ranges bows and some of the SCA members were generous enough to lend me some arrows. The arrows were fletched with four flights. I was told that this was done so that the arrows could be nocked and drawn at a much faster rate, no need to worry about the cock feather. I was told that type of fletching was used in eastern europe and a few other places. How widespread was the use of this type of fletching and does it really offer any advantages? On the other subject has anyone on this board ever made anegyptian self bow if so was this a difficult project and how did it shoot?

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Thu Jun 08, 2006 3:39 am

Four feather fletch was known and used in the Middle East. Even some Ancient Egyptian arrows are fletched that way. Four feathers have more drag than three and that was the principle reason for using them. Possibly they would last slightly longer before being replaced.

With the usual low fletching used from the Middle East to India, the oriental three fletch (Y configuration) could be used either way up and I have had no visible difference in accuracy or arrow velocity. When using a siper, the cock feather has to be down or the edges of the trough will shear off one of the side feathers.

Some four fletch I have seen on arrows from India was in a + configuration rather than an X, which suggests that low fletching had no clearance problems. This was on broad heads where the greater drag would be an advantage with close targets.

Stephen Selby · Post by **Stephen Selby** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 1:45 am

On the other subject has anyone on this board ever made an Egyptian self bow if so was this a difficult project and how did it shoot?

I don't recall a self bow. Jack Farrell started a thread about an Egyptian composite that he made. Use the search function at the top of this page and search on 'Egyptian Composite'.

jack farrell · Post by **jack farrell** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 1:19 am

Mike; Four fletched arrows are quite handy for some purposes but were not so common in antiquity.

Bede points out that the + alignment was used in Persian India, but keep in mind that other three fletched arrows had their cock feather aligned to the string, so eighter way, one fletch hit the bow.

Self bows were used in Egypt before 2000BC, about the time of the arrival of the composite. Mc Ewen estimates that the angular composite had double the range of Egyptian self bows. Surviving E self bows could be up to 6 feet, usually shorter, and were sometimes powerful. They continued to be used, even by those who owned composites. There were two sets of techniques used by Egyptians, as proved by translated text and burial collection of Tut.

An E self bow with double convex shape and set back grip would be a worthwhile project for trial purposes. I am not sure of its capabilities, have never made one. There would be some steam bending involved of an extreme nature. Mc Leod and others have written on the subject. Good luck. -j-

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 1:42 am

Jack, where has this Mc Leod written this?

Cheers,

Dave

jack farrell · Post by **jack farrell** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 2:33 am

Oxford press, 1982, SELF BOWS AND OTHER ARCHERY TACKLE FROM THE TOMB OF TUT'ANKHAMUN, W McLeod, ISBN 0900 416 33 5
about 100 pages + or -

This book with its companion book on the Composite bows of the tomb are some of the all time best on archery. -j-

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Wed Jun 14, 2006 4:42 am

Dave,
I have a copy of both of McLeod's books on Tutankhamun's bows and several of his articles. If you are visiting Sydney, you can drop by and read them.