Apollo Merlin Steel Takedown Bow

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Nezwin
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Apollo Merlin Steel Takedown Bow

#1 Post by Nezwin » Thu Jul 16, 2015 1:07 pm

I've been asked to make a new string for this old bow, supposedly from the early 1960's. It may be of interest to some on the forum.

The limbs are made from flattened tubular steel, 7/8" wide at their widest point. There doesn't seem to be an obvious arrow pass or rest, but there is a form of sights. It's somewhat of a relic, a bit of a look into ideas knocking about just before they put wheels on the limb tips.
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gazza
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Re: Apollo Merlin Steel Takedown Bow

#2 Post by gazza » Thu Jul 16, 2015 1:22 pm

That's a beautiful piece of history
The older i get the better i was
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bigbob
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Re: Apollo Merlin Steel Takedown Bow

#3 Post by bigbob » Thu Jul 16, 2015 2:55 pm

That sure is a piece of history! i don't know how long steel bows have actually been in existence but the very first bow I shot more than 5 decades ago was a steel bow, and if my feeble memory hasn't totally deserted me was made in Sweden.The name Assab or something like that seems to ring a bell.
nil illigitimo in desperandum carborundum
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perry
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Re: Apollo Merlin Steel Takedown Bow

#4 Post by perry » Thu Jul 16, 2015 8:16 pm

WOW, love it when old Bows like this pop up.

regards Jacko
"To my deep morticication my father once said to me, 'You care for nothing but shooting, dogs and rat catching, and you will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family.' "

- Charles Darwin
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greybeard
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Re: Apollo Merlin Steel Takedown Bow

#5 Post by greybeard » Thu Jul 16, 2015 10:16 pm

Nezwin wrote:....... supposedly from the early 1960's......
"From the 1940s, A&P expanded its range of sports and leisure equipment, including tubular steel javelins (1946), archery equipment (1947), and tubular billiard cues (1953)."

Bob, this maybe the bow you are thinking of, can't imagine how a steel string would feel.
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Daryl.
"And you must not stick for a groat or twelvepence more than another man would give, if it be a good bow.
For a good bow twice paid for, is better than an ill bow once broken. [Ascham]

“If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” [Einstein]

I am old enough to make my own decisions....Just not young enough to remember what I decided!....
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Alex
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Re: Apollo Merlin Steel Takedown Bow

#6 Post by Alex » Fri Jul 17, 2015 7:02 am

Damn...
Steel strings....non stretching material...heavy...hard on your fingers...
Alex.
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bigbob
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Re: Apollo Merlin Steel Takedown Bow

#7 Post by bigbob » Fri Jul 17, 2015 10:05 am

Thanks Daryl for that post. It indeed seems to be the same type of bow I played with as a youth.
nil illigitimo in desperandum carborundum
razorbows.com
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Gringa Bows
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Re: Apollo Merlin Steel Takedown Bow

#8 Post by Gringa Bows » Mon Jul 20, 2015 10:35 am

Very interesting
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Hamish
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Re: Apollo Merlin Steel Takedown Bow

#9 Post by Hamish » Tue Jul 21, 2015 4:04 pm

I have a couple of steel bows. I found that you need very small loops for the string, otherwise the limbs can flip back into reflex when the arrow gets shot.
They shoot okay, but I much prefer wooden bows, the cast is better.
I was warned not to shoot them as they eventually break due to work hardening, or due to rust on the inside of the hollow tubing. The guy who told me this said they used to wear a peaked cap whilst shooting, in case the bow went. They also used to fill up the interior of the bow with oil when it wasn't used for long periods.
Hamish
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