Help with selfbow ID

[bk_tradguy88]

A friend from work was telling me that in the garage of a house he just bought he found an old longbow. After talking about it a little I realized he was talking about a selfbow. I was eager to go take a look at it, and went by his house after work a few days later. The bow is in reasonably good shape. It does have some twist in it, but I believe with some work it could be restored to shooting shape. I need to measure it tomorrow to get the length. The limbs are not very thick so I know it's light weight. The stamp says "L.E.Stemmler Manorville,NY" I haven't heard of this maker before and haven't turned up much on google. Any info that someone could help with would be great. My buddy let me take it with me to research, but doesn't know if he's gonna let me get it yet. Wants to know more about it first.
B

[Ron]

Cool looking bow.

[rubydog]

It appears to be made from Degame or Lemon wood. That material was banned after the Bay Of Pigs stand off with fidel Castro as it comes out of Cuba. There is some that enters the U.S. from a couple of different latin countries. As for the maker, I have no clue since most people made their own bows back in the day. Be careful trying to shoot it and dont let it hit you between the lookers..

[Texas5o]

I'm with Terry on this. If you decide to put a string on it and pull it back, I would suggest starting slowly. Only pull it a short distance at first, then a little longer, etc. Don't rush it. Eventually you should be able to get it back to full draw. If you hear any cracking at all, STOP and don't pull it any further. Those old bows like that will break easily because they haven't been bent in a while. I would also wear safety glasses when pulling it.......just in case.

[huntinpool]

Wear a helmet and film it!

[Ol Man]

Stemmler made many bows during the late 20's through to the 80's. In the late 20's to 40's they manufactured many seflbows - from Lemonwood.. later on the used hickory as well. My dad had a Hickory Stemmler from back when he was a kid in the 40's. As a matter of fact I learned to shoot a longbow using that same bow, then my son (youngest) went on to win the Howard Hill invitational for his age group using it in 1992. Stemmler ranks up there with Pearson and Bear as far as equipment. In the 80's they sold and manufactured compounds and I believe they finally close up in the mid 80's. Their recurves were some very fine looking and good performing bows.

[rubydog]

Stemmler made many bows during the late 20's through to the 80's. In the late 20's to 40's they manufactured many seflbows - from Lemonwood.. later on the used hickory as well. My dad had a Hickory Stemmler from back when he was a kid in the 40's. As a matter of fact I learned to shoot a longbow using that same bow, then my son (youngest) went on to win the Howard Hill invitational for his age group using it in 1992. Stemmler ranks up there with Pearson and Bear as far as equipment. In the 80's they sold and manufactured compounds and I believe they finally close up in the mid 80's. Their recurves were some very fine looking and good performing bows.

I knew some old guy would show up with a better answer.

[fletcherfor2]

It appears to be made from Degame or Lemon wood. That material was banned after the Bay Of Pigs stand off with fidel Castro as it comes out of Cuba. There is some that enters the U.S. from a couple of different latin countries.

I read somewhere once (don't remember where or when, but I think a was a series on the Arthurian legend) about the English using Lemon wood for their longbows when they didn't have enough mature Yew growing. They got it from Spain or North Africa and I think I remember them using it to the point of extinction from the area where they got it.

[Selfbowman]

Don't know it's older than I am though I'm sure. If you are thinking of shooting it I would check the moisture content in it. And do as mentioned above.

[bk_tradguy88]

Well, i just assumed it was osage. Glad to hear a little more about it. I'm sure not in any rush to throw a string on it. Anyone got an idea what it might me worth?
B