Bill Hill longbow information

Where to source materials etc. Also the place to show off your new bow or quiver etc.... Making things belongs in Traditional Crafts.

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JoeLethbridge
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Bill Hill longbow information

#1 Post by JoeLethbridge » Sat Dec 14, 2013 4:52 pm

Hi guys,
I've had an old longbow hanging round that might have a story to it for a while now, and this morning I got the maker's name from Bill Robins, owner of FNQ Archery (who actually gave me the bow in the first place. Anyway, This Bill Hill guy lived in (or around) the Cairns area. He died of cancer eventually, but before he died, he got the laminated longbow that he made for his nephew, who had given up archery :roll:, and reduced the draw weight to 18 lbs @ 24" since he mustn't have had the strength to draw a 50 pounder. I don't know how to post pictures, so I'll describe it as best as I can.
* It's overall length is around 62".
* black F- glass on back
* white (at least it used to be)F- glass on belly
* Riser and core lams are a maplish- looking material
* Plain black F- glass overlays on nocks
* strange piece of whitish F- glass on back- side :confused: of riser.
Bill also told me that a man called Graham Foster? was good friends with Bill Hill before he passed away.
The reduction of draw- weight coincides with the rasp- marks that were originally on the sides of the bow. Rob (aka Flatliner) has replaced the strings on this bow twice now, so he wiil know what i am talking about.

So, in a way, I've got a Hill longbow! Any more knowledge about Bill Hill would be great.

Cheers, Joe. :mrgreen:

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bigbob
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Re: Bill Hill longbow information

#2 Post by bigbob » Sun Dec 15, 2013 6:35 pm

Bill's nephew Keith sometimes posts on here, still in archery and a member of our club [Sunshine coast bowmen] but I believe he's out of state at the moment. Bill was a legend and one time holder of the largest tusks taken with a bow as he was quick to tell anybody who asked. He could keep a campfire gathering entertained for hours with his yarns.
nil illigitimo in desperandum carborundum
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Trad Bound
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Re: Bill Hill longbow information

#3 Post by Trad Bound » Sun Dec 15, 2013 6:52 pm

Big Bob you mean there is two of your type in the one club :surprised: Nice.

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Stickbow Hunter
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Re: Bill Hill longbow information

#4 Post by Stickbow Hunter » Sun Dec 15, 2013 7:40 pm

Bill was a top bloke. He was a great Bowhunter and an excellent craftsman making knives and doing scrimshaw. As Bob said, he was entertainment plus around a camp fire. :lol: I have attached a photo of his Australian Record boar and a couple of photos of his scrimshaw work.

Jeff
Bill Hill Australian Record Boar.jpg
Bill Hill Australian Record Boar.jpg (29.87 KiB) Viewed 2466 times
Bill-Hill-Scrimshaw-1.jpg
Bill-Hill-Scrimshaw-1.jpg (36.96 KiB) Viewed 2466 times
Bill-Hill-Scrimshaw-2.jpg
Bill-Hill-Scrimshaw-2.jpg (20.25 KiB) Viewed 2466 times

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Hilly
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Re: Bill Hill longbow information

#5 Post by Hilly » Sun Dec 15, 2013 7:56 pm

Yer Joe & Bob i saw this post im not sure about it as i not aware of Uncle Bill ever making a long bow i could be wrong though i know he did have 2 long bows one had black glass i think it was 70 lbs with a Burdikin plum riser & the other was around 50 - 60 lbs with off with glass limbs that the late Cliff Chew from Mission Beach area witch i have one of his bows as well

Cheers
Hilly

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bigbob
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Re: Bill Hill longbow information

#6 Post by bigbob » Sun Dec 15, 2013 8:04 pm

Hey Hilly you missed our xmas shoot today it was a goodun, 40+ members! I'll always have fond memories of Bill, top bloke in my books.l
nil illigitimo in desperandum carborundum
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Stickbow Hunter
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Re: Bill Hill longbow information

#7 Post by Stickbow Hunter » Sun Dec 15, 2013 8:04 pm

Hilly wrote:Yer Joe & Bob i saw this post im not sure about it as i not aware of Uncle Bill ever making a long bow i could be wrong though
I never heard of him making any bows either Keith.

Jeff

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bigbob
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Re: Bill Hill longbow information

#8 Post by bigbob » Sun Dec 15, 2013 8:08 pm

I cant remember such either but I'm the sort of guy that has to write his own name on his hand these days just to see who I wake up as!
nil illigitimo in desperandum carborundum
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Hilly
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Re: Bill Hill longbow information

#9 Post by Hilly » Sun Dec 15, 2013 8:13 pm

good on ya Bob i think we all have days like that mate .....

i know he was the kind that would have ago at making anything though Jeff
Hilly

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