Lilhunter

I was thinking here. I keep seeing posts on new this, top of the line that. So I have a question for ya'll. We'll keep this first one simple.

Mech Release's. You know hand held, mechanical release. Not a thumb ring or something to that nature. The question....Just how old are they

Bonus points....how about the first patent, who done it.

wimp

Probably older than compounds themselves.

Arthur P

I know there was a truly mechanical release as early as 1950 but I'm almost certain I've heard of earlier ones. There were all kinds of non-mechanical releases.

logs

Now I realize you're speaking of Bows but keep in mind that Crossbows had mechanical releases from the get go. Therefore I would have to believe that some guy running around with an iron helmet and breast plate may have tried something of the sort for his long bow. That is just speculation.


Work hard and be true to yourself.
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/memb...kas/index.html

Lilhunter

Logs, good point. I do however mean bows, compounds, longbows or recurves with releases in the style in which we see today, hand held, or wrist held, trigger/back released releases.

I'll let this one go for a bit longer before I post the answe, to see if anyone comes reasonably close. <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

AK

I've read of some primitive cultures who used natural fiber rope to hold and release the bowstring. A couple thousand years old perhaps?

Lilhunter

wow, thought there would be more interest then this. Oh well

The rope you are talking is nothing more then a hunk of Rope.

The first patent was filed Dec 11 1879 by Jacob David of Brookland. They were originally called Clutches. Come 1897, the pantents expired.

Tazman

Lilhunter, do you have a pic of this release, or can you name a present day release styled like it?

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Proud father of a Devil Dog

Arthur P

I was only off some 70 years. Not too bad, I guess.

Lilhunter

Taz, yes I have some from the early 20's I'll try and scan either tonite or tomorrow afternoon. Gotta hit the rack early tonite, new job starting at 4am, yahoo lol.

They look pretty close to a couple, cant remember the names of them right off the bat, (2 ball bearings, black nylon out shell, has a tendancy to split the serving but for the life of me the name is not there)

I will tell you, very very little in archery is truely new.

Solo cams dating to the 60's, same with split limbs.

Mech heads also that time or earlier. (one of which I have in my bh collection).

Its definatly interesting stuff. I'll try and get ya a pic here of the clutches and also the split limb &quot;solo&quot; cam at the same time.