Who were some of the top names in bowyers in America in this time period?

Who were some of the top names in bowyers in America in this time period?

1837 - 1901. I doubt that many bowyers were around in the US except for Native Americans. I'm sure you could count them on one hand.

The Thompson's James Duff

Otis Mason

Saxton Pope

Art Young

Will Compton

Just to name some.

Remember that during that period the United States was in the midst of a Civil War and the world was engulfed in world war.

And yes, the Thompson Brothers would be in there.

The time period that I found that related to the Victorian Era was longer than that. So several of the folks I listed would need to be dropped off the list.

Keep in mind that archery was not "the thing" in the US at that time, we had just come into repeating rifles after the Civil War and most folks, other than kids, bothered with bows and arrows.

I believe (Capt.) FS Barnes of Forest Grove, Oregon was making bows then. (not to be confused with Willis Barnes)

Here's a quote from a 1911 article about him (see attached image) - there are some errors due to the text scanning:

"It was In the Fall of 1891 when Mr. Barnes secured a log- of yew wood taken from the crest of Gales Peak, a few miles west of here, from which he made his first bow. Archery had always been his hobby and he had long desired to hew from wood one of the most delicate pieces of mechanism the bow. He studied minutely the Kng-llsh made bows, tearing; them apart In order to obtain some desired knowledge of a particular section. His first bow. although not a finished arti cle, won a name for M?n among- the srehery circles In the Eastern States. He presented it to Mr. Koblnson. of Cincinnati, to test and examine. Soon after Mr. Bobbins wrote a letter to the maker expressing highest praise of the accuracy and shooting- powers of his handicraft. This same bow later fell Into the hands of Mr. Howell, who won the United States champion ship with It- With such great suc cess from his first attempt. Mr. Barnes continued In the art. But his next six bows were entire failures; however, through patience and per sistence he acquired the skill of care ful workmanship so that he seldom Injures a bow in its making-. For the past 10 years the Captain has (riven his entire attention to the manufacture of his beloved Instrument. Over J00 hows have left his modest little shop and at the present time there are from TS to 10 on band In one form or an other. This remarkable craftsman, genial and pleasant. Is now over 73 years of age. but hearty and strong, working continuously day after day In his shop."

In another article in 1904 he claims to be the only bowyer in the US making bows ....

& Will Compton learnt from Barnes:

"Will Compton spent many years living and working in Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming and Oregon. His interest in archery grew each year and would soon become the most important force in his life. While working in Montana he became aware of the bowyer F.S. Barnes who lived in Forest Grove, Oregon. In 1894 he moved to Forest Grove and went to work for Barnes. From Barnes he learned how to make the English style of longbow, and how and where to harvest yew wood.

In 1913 F.S. Barnes passed away and Compton, quite confident in his abilities as a bowyer, packed up over 1,000 billets of yew he had harvested and moved to California. Some time later, after Compton had met and become friends with Saxton Pope, Pope wrote that Compton had, "...an unlimited supply of yew."

?

Besides few bowyers not many people had the money or time for sports like archery. This was also the age of the industrial revolution when whole families worked 16 hour days. There was actually a strike for 6 am to 6 pm days. “Free time” as we know it didn’t really start until after WW1. These are reasons you see professional people as the ones usually participating in sports like archery and flyfishing.

L. E. Stemmler's father was making bows in New York during this period.

Robin Hood.

Victorian era = 1837 - 1901

As noted most of the guys above were not making bows in the actual Victorian era. At the time the best bows were still sourced from England. The Thompson's frequently mention this.

The term "Top bowyer" may be attached to legends of shooting while not actually being that accurate a term.

Capt FS Barnes started making bows ~1890

Didn't the Thompson brothers start building their own bows because as Confederate veterans they couldn't own guns? (I've read that but never heard of that policy and doubt it)

That is what was said of Confederate veterans. In any event the Thompson's mostly purchased their bows later on.

Their book makes no mention of American Yew or Osage.

Were'nt the Thompson brothers buying and using Lance wood and Snake wood bows bought from E I Horseman in New York

There are several English bowmakers who have been making bows for over 150 years. I don't know their names but English target archery never stopped after the middle ages. Therefore there had to be bowyers to meet that need.

Here's the names of some of the UK bowyers and arrow makers who were exporting to the USA pre 1901 ... Thomas Aldred, F.H. Ayres, Charles Wright, J.F.Peters . Philip Highfield, Henry Brown and C.F.Madle

I find this stuff very interesting. Thank you everyone for all the input.

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