A Study of Bows and Arrows

by Saxton T. Pope

2011 Reprint of 1923 Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. This is Pope's classic study of the actual casting quality and strength of the best specimens of bows of different aboriginal tribes and nations of the world. Pope undertook a detailed test of shooting quality of a series of bows as well as a correlated study concerning the penetration of arrows. Most of the bows were selected from hundreds in possession of the Museum of Anthropology of the University of California. Illustrated with twenty plates.

110 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 2011

About the author

Saxton Temple Pope was an American doctor, teacher, author and outdoorsman. He is most famous as the father of modern bow hunting, and for his close relationship with Ishi, the last member of the Yahi tribe and the last known American Indian to be raised largely isolated from Western culture. He continued bowhunting until his death in 1926 from pneumonia.

Reviews

[Paul A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Saxton Pope's initial forays into experimental archeology in the field of archery are fascinating and unique. He tests and analyzes bows from a wide range of different cultures, including indigenous American, Manchu Chinese, Philippine Igorot and Negrito bows, and many more. He provides detailed descriptions of each, along with notes on their cast, penetrative power with different arrows, and feel. His efforts have clearly paved the way for modern inquiries in the field and are invaluable for quantifying and measuring historical methods and weapons today.