Author: Amber

Many similarities can be found between the military equipment of the Magyars and several different Asian cultures. Consisting of only five materials, the Old Magyar Bow was an efficient weapon. Sinew was used to strengthen the back of the bow. It also allowed it to be drawn farther and easier. The horns helped the bow to stay stiff and prevented the bow from going too far forward once fired.

"Composite Bow." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 24 Dec. 2013. Web. 03 Jan. 2014.
"Hungarian Traditional Archery." Hungarian Traditional Archery. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Jan. 2014.
Szabo, Chris. "Magyar Archery (1)." Magyar Archery (1). N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Jan. 2014.

Old Magyar Bow

Amber Albano

Sinew

Horns from the Hungarian Longhorn Grey Cattle

Materials

Softwood
Halenyv (fish glue)
Sinew
Horn
Bone

How to Build

Collect all your materials
Shape the softwood to accommodate to your grip. (Some use steam to bend the wood prior to shaping)
Layer the sinew on the back of the softwood.
Attach the horns on each end of the bow

Purpose of the bow

The bow had several different uses a few of them being hunting and military equipment. The Magyars were nomadic so they had to hunt their food. The bow could be used to kill the animals. The Magyars didn’t have an established military, however being nomads, they had to know how to defend themselves making them great warriors. If they were to be ambushed by another group of people, they could use the bow to attack.