From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Contents 1 Definition and characteristics 2 History 3 Modern "composite" bows 4 List of Composite bows 5 See also 6 Bow construction techniques 7 Bow forms 8 References 9 External links

A composite bow is a bow made from disparate materials laminated together, usually applied under tension. Different materials are used in order to take advantage of the properties of each material.

This article describes mainly the traditional Asiatic composite bow, which normally uses horn on the belly and sinew on the back. Sinew and horn will store more energy than wood for the same length of bow. The strength can be made similar to that of all-wood bows, with similar draw-length and therefore a similar or greater amount of energy delivered to the arrow from a much shorter bow. Some Mongolian composite bows are known to have been able to produce a draw weight of nearly 160 lb. That can be compared to the approximately 80–180 pounds of the European Longbow which was about twice as long. Almost all composite bows are also recurve bows as the shape curves back away from the archer; this design gives higher draw-weight in the early stages of the archer's draw, so storing somewhat more total energy for a given final draw-weight. It would be possible to make a bow of wood that has the same shape, length and draw-weight as a traditional composite bow, but it could not store the energy and would break at full draw.

The main advantage of composite bows over self bows (made from a single piece of wood) is their combination of smaller size with high power. They are therefore much more suitable for use from horseback, and presumably from a chariot. They also have disadvantages. Their construction requires much more time and a greater variety of materials than self bows, and the animal glue traditionally used can lose strength in humid conditions and be ruined by submersion.

Composite bows may have been invented first by the nomads of the Asiatic steppe, such as the Xiongnu, who may have based it on earlier Northern Asian laminated bows. Their first appearance coincides with the adoption of the horse to draw chariots or as a riding animal.The composite bow was frequently used by the cavalry archers of the Parthians, Turks, Mongols and other Asiatic nomads. Most of the Mongol horde consisted of light cavalry archers. However, composite bows were soon adopted by civilizations, such as the Chinese, Assyrian, Indian, and Egyptian, who came into conflict with nomads. They were used throughout the Middle East, became the standard weapon of Roman archery units, and under the Roman Empire were made even in the cold and damp of Britannia. In northern America, after the re-introduction of horses, newly-mounted groups rapidly developed shorter bows which were often given sinew backing, and in a few cases horn bellies; as in Asia, varieties of composite bow were already known in the region. Most modern documentation of the use and construction of composite bows comes from China and the Middle East; until reforms early in the 20th century, skill with the composite bow was an essential part of the qualification for officers in the Chinese Imperial army.

The Chinese, Mongol, Persian, Parthian, Turkish, Hun, and Magyar Bows use horn on the belly and sinew on the back. As with most other composite bows made before the 20th century the layers were glued on using glue made from hide, or fish bladders.

Horse archers such as the Mongols, Seljuk Turks and Parthians used skirmishing tactics where they would approach, shoot, and retreat. Parthians are known for using their composite bows to shoot backwards over the rear of their horses. The term "parthian shot" comes from these horse archers.

Other less-satisfactory materials than horn have been used for the belly of the bow (the part facing the archer when shooting), including bone, antler, or compression resistant woods such as osage orange, hornbeam, or yew. Materials that are strong under tension, such as silk, or tough wood like hickory, have been used on the back of the bow (the part facing away from the archer when shooting).

Modern replicas of traditional composite bows are commercially available; they are usually made with fiberglass on both belly and back, easier to mass-produce and easier to take care of than traditional composite bows.

• Chinese bow
• Hun bow
• Hungarian bow
• Turkish bow
• Mongol bow
• Korean bow

• Bow (weapon)
• Crossbow
• English longbow
• Longbow
• Flatbow
• Archery
• Horse archer

• Self bow
• Cable-backed bow
• Compound bow
• Laminated bow
• Composite bow

• Recurve bow
• Decurve bow
• Deflex bow
• Reflex bow

• (1992) The Traditional Bowyers Bible Volume 1. The Lyons Press. ISBN 1-58574-085-3
• (1992) The Traditional Bowyers Bible Volume 2. The Lyons Press. ISBN 1-58574-086-1
• (1994) The Traditional Bowyers Bible Volume 3. The Lyons Press. ISBN 1-58574-087-X

• The Asian Traditional Archery Research network
• The Bow
• Ancient Composite Bows
• Making an Asiatic Composite Bow
• Five composite bows from the tomb of Tutankhamun
• The Composite Bow
• Ju Yuan Hao Chinese Bow and Arrow