About Medieval Arrows
Traditional hand-made arrows based on existing medieval types, or custom made to any specification
Medieval Arrows Description
I am a traditional fletcher specialising in making medieval arrows for flight shooting, competitions, roving and more.
My arrows are based (more or less) on existing medieval examples, such as the arrows found on the Mary Rose or in Westminster Abbey. I also make arrows to conform to various specifications such as the BL-BS Standard Arrow, or the EWBS Livery Arrow.
While the majority of my arrows are made using modern glues and finishes, I also make and supply arrows using purely traditional methods and materials from animal hide glues and hand-turned shafts to verdigris compound applied over the bindings.
Reviews
The finished 1/2" Jessop's H3 heads for Tod at Tod's Workshop. They will be accompanying one of Tod's trademark beautiful crossbows, and heading off to America.
The heads for Tod of Tod's Stuff rough ground now, and all within 1g of the weight specified (35g). They now need quenching and sharpening.
The head type is a Jessop's H3, and the dimensions are taken from an extant head in the MoL, although due to the fact that these heads are going to be fitted onto crossbow bolts and used for hunting in America, the barbs had to be brought in slightly closer to the socket to pass the regulations over there.
New set of arrows going off to Taiwan.
5 Mary Rose replicas (MR82A1757/93):
30.5" Aspen (P. tremula) shafts tapered from 1/2" to 9mm
... Dark ox horn inserts tapered and glued with hide glue
Goose primary fletchings bound into verdigris compound with red silk
Hand forged Type 16 heads
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5 "hunting" arrows without heads
Lime shafts also tapered to MR82A1757/93 dimensions
Ox horn tapered inserts
Swan fletchings bound into wax and tallow compound with undyed silk
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Rough forging some prototype heads for the lovely Tod of Tod's Stuff.
Two heavy birch late medieval arrows, to be paired with a set of Mary Rose arrows later.
1/2" white birch tapered to 9mm
Dark tapered horn inserts glued into splits
... Goose primary fletchings bound with red silk into a verdigris compound
1/2" MoL Type 9 and 1/2" MoL Type 16 heads.
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This is a very special set, for a guy (Rob) in memory of his daughter Willow.
Three willow shafts, with a heavy taper to keep the weight up. This particular willow (goat willow) isn't far off normal weight anyway, but benefits from slightly more weight than usual. 30" shoulder to nock.
Split inserts fitted with horn using hide glue.
... 7.5" swan fletchings bound with undyed silk into a compound of wax, tallow and copper verdigris.
A different head is fitted to each shaft - one 1/2" fire-welded Type 16, one 1/2" MoL Type 8 and one 1/2" MoL Type 7.
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Birch, willow and lime shafts planed, tapered, fitted with horn and coated with verdigris compound ready for fletchings.
Jeremy Spencer shooting a Westminster Abbey arrow around 220 yards with my 130lb elm bow using a 3-ply reverse twisted linen string.
Joe Gibbs shooting a 29" long Westminster Abbey arrow 268 yards from my new 170+lb self yew replica of MR79A0807.
With better conditions and a Livery arrow it should do very well.
Set of heavy arrows with a range of heads.
1/2" waxed lime (linden) shafts tapered to just under 9mm
Long low fletchings bound with silk
... 2" Buffalo horn inserts, tapered and glued into splits
Three diamond section Type 7 heads Three diamond section long Type 9 heads Six diamond section short Type 9 heads
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I've had a lot of orders for arrows with Type 16 heads recently, so I figured I'd get them all forged in one go today. It's also a great way of testing a different type of coal, which handled the constant welding temperature perfectly!
Another set of arrows for the lovely Mick Grewcock.
31" ash shafts
Tapered buffalo horn nock inserts
... Long low turkey fletchings bound with red silk
Hand forged diamond-section short bodkins
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Two 3/8" fire-welded Type 16s, one 1/2" fire-welded Type 16 and one 1/2" brazed M2 for Mark Brownridge.
Working down some willow into shafts for a very special order.
Playing around with more wrought iron today. Here's a 1/2" MoL Type 9, and a copy of one of the most beautiful fire-welded Type 16s, which is also in the MoL.
Four Mary Rose arrows, with the shaft dimensions copied from MR82A1757/93.
30" long black poplar (populus nigra) shafts, just under 1/2" at the shoulder tapering down to 8mm at the nock.
Tapered cow horn inserts glued with hide glue into split openings.
... Beeswax, pine resin, lamb fat and verdigris fletching compound, holding 7" goose fletchings bound with red silk.
Two fire-welded Type 16 and two M2 heads, all hand forged by myself.
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Had some time to fiddle this afternoon, so here's a set of 1/2" MoL Type 16 heads forged from genuine charcoal rolled wrought iron.
Fairly productive afternoon. 3 x 1/2" MoL Type 7s, 6 x 1/2" short bodkins, 6 x 9mm short bodkins and 3 x 1/2" Straight Type 16s.
Great service and communication throughout. Will made exactly what I needed and met the timeframe too. Arrows arrived safe and sound exactly when expected. Now to loose them!
Brilliant quality bows and arrows, I've had three batches of arrows and two bows made, can't fault any of them for quality or performance. Plus excellent customer service before and after purchase. Definitely recommended to anyone who wants a proper longbow and accompanying arrows. :)
Awesome!