Reminder – historical bow class rules

• The recognition of the classic bow (also called historical or primitive bow) shall be based on the accepted design and usage during the period preceding the year 1900.

• There shall be no distinction between the different configurations of bow designs or of materials used.

• The bow shall be either a self-wood or composite bow.

• The inclusion of a form of arrow rest or shelf as well as a sight window cut-in shall be permitted, provided such meet the classic configuration of the bow which has established historical precedence.

• The bow shall be constructed of wood or materials that were used during the period of the bow’s historical usage. Modern materials such as carbon, glass fibre and epoxy may not be used. The use of historic glues such as bone glue and hot tree resin is not permitted and only modern glues and adhesives shall be used for the riser and limbs! The standard bowstring material shall be polyester. Historical (such as flax or sinew) and/or modern bowstring materials (such as Kevlar, etc.) may not be used.

• Arrows shall be of wood, fletched with natural feather, and must be of the same fletch and pile, without regard for colour. The arrows must be free of any marks or blemishes that can be used as sighting aids and shall not vary in length by more than 25mm at the start of the competition. Modern arrow points or piles as well as modern nocks shall be permitted. Nocks that are cut into the shaft are only permitted when these are strengthened with appropriate materials.

• Accessories such as woven nocking point indicators and thumb rings shall be permitted, provided that such accessory was used during the historic use of the bow.

• The onus shall rest with the archer to ensure that all the equipment that is used for the tournament is historically correct. The shooter shall show documented proof of the correctness of the equipment if so asked by the technical controllers at the tournament

Bow inspection form for print