I'd be interested in any published material by or on Eicholtz prior to May, 1945.

I'd be interested in a published source where Eicholtz claims to be first to use fiberglass as a bow backing.

I'd be interested in any published source on the use of fiberglass as facings prior to 1952.

I know approximately but need help with the date he opened his shop.

there is a chapter on frank in sam fadala's book, "traditional archery", isbn# 0-8117-2943-5. damon howatt was using eicholtz glass before 1950. eicholtz was working with george gordon in 1948 developing a lineal fiber form of bow glass. frank used lamicoid, a plastic, prior to 1944. fadala's book confirms these dates.

there is a chapter on frank in sam fadala's book, "traditional archery", isbn# 0-8117-2943-5. damon howatt was using eicholtz glass before 1950. eicholtz was working with george gordon in 1948 developing a lineal fiber form of bow glass. frank used lamicoid, a plastic, prior to 1944. fadala's book confirms these dates.

I think skookum can help you

Up

Yes, Fred Andersons book The Traditional Way will confirm most of that as well.

Don't know if his will help, Bow & Arrow," ARCHERS DIGEST " Edited by Jack Lewis. A chapter on Mr. Frank Eicholtz, "Father of the laminated bow" Bought it new in the early 70s. Call if you like to see it....James ...509-299-3029

American-Bowman-Review was the official publication of the NAA, NAA being the governing body of "flight," meaning they were the record keepers, and developed and enacted the "official standards" for this activity. This monthly published magazine was the "Leatherwall" of archery stuff in those days. Folks communicated through letters, articles and advertised the latest equipment/supplies/accessories. The history of flight is chronicled in its pages month by month, as it happened.

Even ABR got it wrong occasionally. In most cases it was the author of an article mis-quoting or making assumptions. The infringed party generally sent a letter to ABR and the mistake corrected. Harry Drake had to go on record with a letter to ABR correcting his flight accomplishments in February 1950. About 17 flight records were held by Drake bows at that time and Harry stated that "none" of the bows used were made by Eicholtz nor of Eicholtz's design but he did use Eicholtz synthetics which he first obtained near the close of 1946. All the bows were made by him and of his own design.

W.L. MIllers work with plastic facings is well recorded from 1941-September 1945 when the first ad carrying fiberglass for backings is run, one offering laminated Fiberglass by Noecker-Hamilton Company as well as T. Lunsford. W.L. Miller is back up selling Toxhorn. W.L. Miller had enough Toxhorn facing material to supply one bow maker during the War, Robin Hood Archery who sold a limited number of bows faced with Toxhorn and Toxhorn facing strips. Miller supplied Toxhorn facings and other synthetics he developed and manufactured to more than 60 independent bowyers and suppliers at one time. Miller also applied for a patent for a plastic faced composite bow in 1941 which was granted in 1943. He later published a scarce book titled "Making Modern Composite Bows." There is know mention of any synthetic backing or facing material[that I can locate] but Miller's Toxhorn prior to September 1945 in ABR.

Eicholtz published one letter to the Editor[about weighing flight bows] in 1944 and nothing else is recorded by Eicholtz or about Eicholtz through September 1945 in ABR.

I have painstakingly gone through each and every edition of ABR through September 1945 and will complete the series through 1951 when ABR closes shop. Later I'll do the same with the late YSAs and early Archery issues which cover the same period.

Still searching for any published accounts on or about fiberglass or Eicholtz prior to September 1945. I know Eicholtz subscribed to the magazine as I have several copies belonging to Frank Eicholtz as well as other noted archers from that period in my complete run of ABR.

Eicholtz has been working with Conolon Fiberglass for some time and finally brings it to the public with his first ad in ABR in May 1946 for the Conolon Arrow. In June he showcases Conolon for bow backing. From here to March 1949 he continues to advertise regularly in ABR and work on improving his product.

Miller continues to improve his Toxhorn facings and his ads populate ABR as well.

By March 1949 the inferior synthetics have passed by the wayside and the composite bow comprised of Conolon backing and Toxhorn facing is "King of the Mountain." Drake has dominated flight with this combination. Miller has added a fiberglass backing, Toxglass Backing, to his products.

Fiberglass certainly is being tested for facings but as of March 1949 a usable glass is not available to the public. The wood bow is not dead as bamboo, sinew, silk and some other backings are still popular and continue to gather a large share of the market and hold its own in target. Fiberglass though, has change flight competition for ever.

It's really cool going though these old magazines month by month. Our history is displayed right before our eyes and small things that have been overlooked in our haste to popularize the large routinely surface and amaze. One interesting thing was the number of metal bows being advertised and used along with metal arrows during the late 1940s.

When WWII ended there was a near overnight explosion of archery businesses. The number of advertisements in ABR tripled or more. By the last issue of ABR, November 1951, the tried and true were still going strong but the novel and second rate equipment, materials and accessories had fallen by the wayside.

Eicholtz added the fiberglass Ultrabac to go with his Conolon backing in January 1950. He began offering the plastic Lamicoid which he was reported to have tinkered with in the early 1940s as facing material. Lamicoid was a plastic used for signs and had been around for a number of years. Its use as a facing must have been relatively modest because this is the first time I've found it being offered to the general public as facing material.

Eicholtz could, by November 1951, realistically claim that most if not all the flight records had been made with his Conolon or Ultrabac fiberglass backings. Miller could claim as well that many of those same bows sported his facings. Eicholtz's fiberglass ruled though Bear had developed or procured a fiberglass backing material that was being used as backing on their bows, bows fiberglass backed but still plastic faced.

Miller's fiberglass backing, Toxglass, was used up by several bow makers. During 1949 Stew Hamilton advertised "The Lynx," sporting Miller's backing and facing. In May 1951 Hoyt's "Professional" carried both Toxglass and Toxhorn.

Fiberglass material was being tested and tried for use as facing material and soon would move aside the plastics that had served so well during the past 10 years. I'll have to visit other magazines now finish to the fiberglass story. Once fiberglass is intrenched as "the" backing and facing material, as they say, the rest is history. :)

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