Building A Comanche Short Bow Pt.1

This is a look into the process of making a Southern plains Comanche short bow. Starting with the identification of the Osage tree to the first arrows loosed. My bow making journey started after finding a bird point arrowhead in the southern reaches of Comancheria 4 years ago. I have since educated myself on the fascinating history of the Comanche people and built 3 functioning short bows, taking my first wild hog with one of my bows last year. These bows were developed to operate from horseback and the Comanche mastered horseback archery rendering the Southern plains vastly impenetrable for hundreds of years even as firearms began to show up. These bows, though not incredibly accurate past 30 yards, are wicked fast and maneuverable in the the right hands, making them extremely effective weapons and hunting tools at close range. Please enjoy the video.

[@dooleyfussle8634]

Usually they're called an Osage Orange both for the colour of the wood and the large green fruit. Hedge apple is another name you occasionally hear but most people call it the Bow Dark tree, which is a corruption of Bois d'Arc, French for "wood of the bow".

[@gregcraycroft2342]

@dooleyfussle8634 100% correct sir! I appreciate the share of knowledge! When I filmed the tree I missed the Bois d'Arc name. When I viewed the footage, I could not believe I missed it!!! Thanks