I'm looking for any and all information regarding Col. F. E. Pierce (USMC), including a better scan of the picture below which is from the Archer's Bible of 1968. Pierce Archers Bible 1968.

Pierce was president of the San Diego Archery Club in the 1930's and promoted archery for every one of his 43 years in San Diego.

He was the first Marine appointed a naval air observer and was awarded the Navy Cross for action in Nicaragua in 1929. He also served in Haiti and Santa Domingo. During part of WWII, he was in charge of Marines stationed at the Miramar Naval Air Station.

That's all I have. I'd like to know more about his activities with crossbow associations and the Western Archery Association as well as any other dealings he had with other archery groups.

Thanks in advance!!

Col. Pierce is briefly mentioned as the head of the American National Company of Crossbowmen, in Coronado, California, in Edmund Burke's book, "Field and Target Archery" 1961. I believe there is also a picture of him shooting the same crossbow. There are a number of people in the pic and it is not captioned. bvd

bvd

Most likely the same picture. By chance that it is not, if you have the ability to scan and email it to me, I'd appreciate it. If so, PM me and I'll supply my email.

It is not the same picture. His face is more visible and is shown from his left side. I do not have a way to scan it. There is about a dozen people in it shooting and several more watching. There are others on here that have the book. bvd

Try crossbownation.com too it's a huge website

Hope that the good Col promoted stick and string? I wonder if there was a particular reason that HE used an x-bow? some kind of handicap or problem from being a soldier???

I think the good Col. had his hands full promoting crossbows. They were getting big in N.A.A.competition back them. bvd

Not traditional.

LOL,

The crossbow has been around since about 650 BC (2,668 years). I would call that far more traditional than fiberglass backing, dacron strings, aluminum arrows, and plastic hooded quivers that have only been around for less than a hundred years.

You are absolutely correct Jaz, but be that as it may- this is not a crossbow site- and that doesn’t belong. No disrespect to you or the Colonel.

The colonel was a national longbow competitor for more than 20 years. He switched to crossbow after a heart attack and doctors orders. And, as President of the NAA for a number of years, he fought for the rights of all archers.

I think it a shame that another archer would view him as not belonging here. But that's OK

if you're watching this thread see my msg to you on FB.

I think I may have something on him but not sure, I'll dig through my stuff. One our our greatest generation and the guys want to attack him already, even after his service to our country and the sport. Amazing.

I wasn’t attacking the man. Matter of fact I wish I could delete what I wrote last year. That’s what happens when I type before I think. I try to limit that. It don’t always work.

Dendy,

I commend you for your last post.

It only takes a few inconsiderate people (with crossbows) to ruin the reputation of a centuries good work.

Col. Pierce could never have foreseen what was to come in terms of the abuses of today, no more than Henry Ford could have foreseen 200mph cars with drunk drivers behind the wheel.

Thanks Jaz. I was out of line. I apologize. And I’m positive that he did way more good for archery than the image of him holding a crossbow would suggest.

Plus he’s was an officer in the military. A high ranking one at that. He’s got my respect, crossbow or not. I just wasn’t thinking. It’s a bad habit. :)

ttt

now that the thread is well & truly back:

Col. Pierce & others. (1961 "Field & Target Archery", Edmund Burke)

& wrt your original pic:

Col. Pierce (1980 revised edition "The Archer's Bible", Fred Bear)

National Bowhunter July 1959 ....

Bowhunting Dec 1959 .... ....there are a couple of smaller pics of Col. Pierce in the rest of the article.

Kginrick,

It's quite alright if people don't consider it Traditional. No matter what category you assign it to, it's still part of the history of archery. It's also a big part of San Diego's history and that's what I'm about.

FYI we even put him on the cover of British Archer, Feb '57 ....

.... ;-)

oops! sorry! my mistake, should read all the text properly before posting ....that's the editor of the magazine with Col. Pierce's bow ;-)

Awesome! Thanks for posting the pictures of our archery history.

Pretty cool stuff. Thanks for sharing.

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