How to wear bow case
My question is what is the proper way to wear a bow case? You know the kind better to call it a scabbard. I have seen pictures and artwork that shows mounted horse archers with it on the bow hand side and facing rearward, opposite of the side their arrow quiver is on. Do foot archers wear it the same way? Seems it would be awkward to get the bow out sliding it backwards. If turned around and facing forward which side would it go on? The opposite side? and use a cross draw to remove the bow, if so where would your arrow quiver go? If kept on the bow hand side how difficult to remove the bow?
Thanks, Todd
Thanks, Todd
Todd,
Most bow cases have a single suspension point so you can turn them to draw out forwards or just draw backwards by extending your left hand to your rear. Either way works in practice. The Ming and the Qing archers regularly wore the bow case facing forwards for a fast draw of the bow, but it could be a problem on horseback because the bow could get in the way of the bridle hand. In Turkish and Persian miniatures, sometimes the bow case faces forwards, indicating the bow would be drawn forwards.
From a practical point of view, when moving through brush on foot, it is better to wear the bow facing forwards and to hold onto the tip of the bow with the left hand to prevent it getting caught on branches.
When wearing the bow case facing backwards, it is critical to make sure the angle it hangs at is less that the angle of the quiver because the ends of the arrows will get tangled between the bow and its string.
In Timurid times, sometimes bow cases have two suspension straps which set the angle of a backward facing bow case precisely. Yet other Timurid paintings show single suspension bow cases facing in either direction. When they are empty, the bow case often faces forward.
The sword is put on before the bow case. It often helps keep it in place while riding.
Most bow cases have a single suspension point so you can turn them to draw out forwards or just draw backwards by extending your left hand to your rear. Either way works in practice. The Ming and the Qing archers regularly wore the bow case facing forwards for a fast draw of the bow, but it could be a problem on horseback because the bow could get in the way of the bridle hand. In Turkish and Persian miniatures, sometimes the bow case faces forwards, indicating the bow would be drawn forwards.
From a practical point of view, when moving through brush on foot, it is better to wear the bow facing forwards and to hold onto the tip of the bow with the left hand to prevent it getting caught on branches.
When wearing the bow case facing backwards, it is critical to make sure the angle it hangs at is less that the angle of the quiver because the ends of the arrows will get tangled between the bow and its string.
In Timurid times, sometimes bow cases have two suspension straps which set the angle of a backward facing bow case precisely. Yet other Timurid paintings show single suspension bow cases facing in either direction. When they are empty, the bow case often faces forward.
The sword is put on before the bow case. It often helps keep it in place while riding.
Thanks Bede, sounds like it can be used either way. Just bought a Hungarian style bow from Attila's Archery and thought I would try a bow case. Made one from cardboard for now to see how I like it. Was also thinking of adding an arrow quiver onto the main body. When done I will post some pics.
Todd
Todd
Todd,
One of the reasons for the demise of the gorytos, the combined bow case and quiver, was that it is not successful with longer bows and arrows. It becomes quite large and cumbersome. The concept of a bow case with a strung bow died out with it and only reappeared 800 years later. This does not mean you cannot make a practical gorytos and use it for hunting for instance. Usually a gorytos was the same length as the arrows and covered two thirds of the bow. Unfortunately this is not what is shown in most reconstructions for military publications (with a few notable exceptions).
One of the reasons for the demise of the gorytos, the combined bow case and quiver, was that it is not successful with longer bows and arrows. It becomes quite large and cumbersome. The concept of a bow case with a strung bow died out with it and only reappeared 800 years later. This does not mean you cannot make a practical gorytos and use it for hunting for instance. Usually a gorytos was the same length as the arrows and covered two thirds of the bow. Unfortunately this is not what is shown in most reconstructions for military publications (with a few notable exceptions).