RICHARD HEAD LONGBOWS have over 30 years experience in making and selling English Longbows and arrows.  Richard is a founder member of the Craft Guild of Traditional Bowyers and Fletchers and together with his son Philip Head have built up a world wide reputation for providing quality archery equipment. 

Among the Founder Members of
The Craft Guild of Traditional Bowyers and Fletchers


 Tel (01225) 790452 
headbow@hotmail.com
405 The Spa, Melksham, Wiltshire. SN12 6QL
 
WE ARE NOT A HIGH STREET SHOP, PLEASE ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT



 


In the UK Richard and Philip can count amongst their customers members of The Royal Toxophilite Society and the Royal Company of Archers.  However no Royal connection is required to ensure that your commission receives the same care and attention to detail to ensure that the finest bow or set of arrows possible is crafted from the best materials available.  Whether they be for Victorian style target, clout or field shooting or Dark age/Medieval re-enactment.
Bow making demonstrations, lectures and seminars are undertaken, contact us for details.


LONGBOWS All our Longbows are carefully hand made in the time tested traditional manner using the finest materials that we can obtain. Timber for the best Longbows is becoming more difficult to source, however we take great care and considerable time in selecting timber that we are confident will make excellent bows. The stock is then air dried and using our many years of experience is seasoned to ensure the finished bow has good cast and guaranteed reliability, all our bows come with a 12 month guarantee. Tournament quality Longbows made in the Victorian style and complying with the rules of the various Archery Societies.  CURRENT WAITING TIME FOR BOWS IS APPROX 5 MONTHS




 
 
Triple laminate Longbow with exotic hardwood core, click image to see more.. £550
 


If Lemonwood has any failings it is its tendency to follow the string. This tendency can be overcome to a large extent by the addition of a centre lamination sandwiched between the Hickory or Bamboo and Lemonwood we taper the centre lamination to ensure the ratio between the different woods remain the same throughout the length of the bow. The timbers used for the centre lamination can vary with availability but tends to be either Purpleheart which has a striking purple/red colour or Greenheart, one time used for making fishing rods. The handle can either be woollen braid or leather, both are trimmed with leather decorated gold leaf in a variety of patterns produced from original Victorian pattern wheels.  Click above image to see more.  CURRENT WAITING TIME FOR BOWS IS APPROX 5 MONTHS  ALL OUR BOWS COME WITH A 12 MONTH GUARANTEE

 
 


Triple laminate with Yew or Osage Orange core          £650
Any league table of bow wood would have Yew and Osage Orange vying for first place. We can include either of these in our triple laminate bows as a centre lamination. CURRENT WAITING TIME FOR BOWS IS APPROX 5 MONTHS ALL OUR BOWS COME WITH A 12 MONTH GUARANTEE


Self Yew Longbow click image to see more..
£ (call for availability, price in the  region of £950)




Yew has long been regarded as natures most perfect bow material having natural elasticity, sweetness of draw and cast second to none. Bows are made from matched pairs of billets, spliced together at the handle, perfect pairs of billets are extremely rare, consequently no two self yew bows will look the same as the skill of the Bowyer is used to follow the undulations of the sap wood and the heartwood, raise pins as necessary and produce a bow of character and beauty. We import all our Yew from Oregon where it is harvested from the Cascade Mountains for us by one of Americas leading traditional archery experts.  click image to see more.. Materials are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain for this type of bow, therefore delivery times and availability can vary, we are curently not taking orders for this type of bow at present..
ALL OUR BOWS COME WITH A 12 MONTH GUARANTEE


Backed Yew 
£ (call for availability, price in the  region of £750)


From time to time we obtain Yew billets that has damaged or brittle sapwood and thus unsuitable for self bows. We back this with suitable Hickory or Bamboo to make excellent bows. These make good bows for field shooting as the Hickory/Bamboo backing does not dent as easily as Yew sapwood when lent against trees, targets etc. The bow can be made slightly shorter than a self bow, useful in dense woodland and of course the bows have tremendous cast. Materials are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain for this type of bow, therefore delivery times and availability can vary, please phone if interested in this bow.
ALL OUR BOWS COME WITH A 12 MONTH GUARANTEE


Backed Osage Orange  £800




Osage Orange is indigenous to the southern part of the USA, is a very tough wood, one old timer even made a set of false teeth out of it. Considered by many people to be at least the equal if not better than Yew. It is a very heavy dense wood bright yellow in colour when first cut but on exposure to the air turning a golden brown colour, eventually a chocolate brown after many years. Because of its density it makes a heavy draw weight bow for slimmer than usual dimensions with very good cast.  CURRENT WAITING TIME FOR BOWS IS APPROX 5 MONTHS Materials are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain for this type of bow, therefore delivery times and availability can vary, please phone if interested in this bow.
ALL OUR BOWS COME WITH A 12 MONTH GUARANTEE


Other bow woods
 
 If you require a specific species of wood incorporated in to your bow please give us a call to discuss the possibility. 
WANT TO PLACE AN ORDER?...CLICK HERE
All our Longbows come complete with a cloth bag and 12 months guarantee.

 
 
Arrows
 


All our arrows are made from the best pine or cedar (as available) shafts. We are currently using shafts made by Boyton Archery, these are of Red Deal used by the Victorian Fletchers and recommended by the remarkable Horace Ford, 12 times champion of England between 1849 and 1867. The shafts are pale in colour when first cut but with the passing of time darken to the rich shade associated with the Victorian arrows.

The raw material comes from the vast Northern European forests which are well managed with the timber being grown at a greater rate than it is being harvested. Using high rejection rates both in the selection of the timber and in the production process, top quality straight grain shafts with smooth finish are the result. 

We hand straighten the shafts as necessary, fit nocks checking for straightness of fit and proper alignment and then apply two coats of polyurethane varnish. Arrows are fletched with the best quality Trueflight feathers with the leading edge of the quill trimmed and glued. The arrows are then cut to length and brass piles fitted (using Araldite). Our deluxe and footed arrows have hand applied fine line accentuated cresting to add that touch of distinction.  We recommend a Tassle to keep your Arrows clean when in the field.  For details on keeping your new set of Arrows straight see our F.A.Q. page

Sets of tournament quality arrows are supplied in purpose made cardboard arrow boxes. 



Target and field arrows
 

STANDARD TARGET ARROWS

With no frills, varnished shaft, 21/2" feather fletches, plastic nocks and brass piles.  (if you require 3" feathers an additional charge will be made)
buy arrows now

longbow target
                              arrows
Set of 12 £91.99




STANDARD FIELD ARROWS with no frills, varnished shaft, 4" feather fletches, plastic nocks and brass piles.
  longbow
                              field arrows
Set of 12 £97.99

 

WANT TO BUY ON-LINE?...CLICK HERE



DELUXE TOURNAMENT ARROWS
Shafts are carefully selected for grain and accurately matched for spine and weight, your choice of fletching colour (price based on 2 1/2" fletch), shafts are crested with a complimentary colour to a Victorian pattern, Bhoning Classic nocks are fitted and there is a choice of brass pile weights, the piles are pinned on with brass pins to prevent them coming off in the target.  Click picture for more.  For details on keeping your new set of Arrows straight see our F.A.Q. page
longbow arrows
                              deluxe
Set of 12 £129.99
 

FOOTED CLOUT ARROWS if you are having difficulty reaching the clout particularly with a light weight Longbow you may find that our clout arrows will give you those vital extra few yards. The arrows are footed, barrelled and fitted with 1/4" diameter 20 grain piles, the fletches are hand Cut to a low profile to reduce drag. CLICK HERE FOR PICTURE


Set of 4 £140
Set of 8  £280






Re-enactment bows


Medieval style Longbow Made from Lemonwood and Bamboo for reliability and performance. The bow works through the handle and is made to "come round compass" the handle is left bare but with the arrow pass marked with the Bowyers mark. The bow is fitted with simple Buffalo horn nocks (cow is extra), a string and comes with a protective white bag. CURRENT WAITING TIME FOR BOWS IS APPROX 5 MONTHS
Draw weights up to 60 lb £295
 Click for pics
 
These bows are intended for Re-enactment. We cannot be held responsible for the conduct of the customer in the field or in Re-enactment battles/public displays. Bows/arrows must be used safely. 
 

Re-enactment and collectable arrows
 




FLU-FLU arrows, with plastic nock and rubber blunt. 
Please be aware arrows should not be shot at or in the direction of people/animals, all arrows can kill/injur.
£11 each
 (click for more details and pic)





 

POPLAR shafts shooting quality great finish, just 3/8"  for Medieval arrows etc...
£17 for 6 shafts

POPLAR shafts shooting quality great finish, 1/2" for Medieval arrows etc...
£23.99 for 6 shafts
POPLAR BOBTAILED from 3/8 to 1/2"
 
Re-Enactment Bodkins
£1.75 each
re-enactment bodkins

NEW
1/2" War Bodkins
£1.99 each
half
                                    inch bodkins

 
NEW MEDHEADS
£5.99
a doz
re-enactment bodkins

 
BUY RED HEAD BLUNTS  BLACK RUBBER BLUNTS
89p eachblunt

 
Medieval Style
Arrow Bag

This excellent handmade Arrow Bag holds 24 Arrows...

BUY RED HEAD BLUNTS
arrow bag
WANT TO BUY ON-LINE?...CLICK HERE
 
 
MEDIEVAL ARROW provided with 6" hand cut triangular shape fletches goose Grey and white, bound on with linen thread, horn reinforced nocks on a 3/8 Poplar shaft. Click image for more...

BUY RED HEAD BLUNTS  £21 each
medieval arrow
 
Hector Cole heads follow the link below

 
WANT TO PLACE AN ORDER?...CLICK HERE

 


Longbow making materials
WANT TO BUY ON-LINE?...CLICK HERE






BLACK BUFFALO HORN TIP 
£12 each 
 
BLACK BUFFALO HORN TIPS drilled, ready for you to carve as you wish, picture shows end of bow with end taken down to fit in drilled hole.
£23 pair
 
`
 


 
HORN SLABS ideal for knife handles 15cm long, 5.2cm wide, 1.7cm thick approx                   £21.99 each   
HORN RODS 4"long x 3/8" diam and 5/16 available.
                  £0.45 each HORN RODS BUY NOW  





 


 

FINISHED HORN NOCKS ready to use, can be supplied with grooves as pic, or without. (fit these with Araldite)
£24.99 with grooves
£14.99 without

 

 


 
MOTHER OF PEARL for arrow plate, rough cut for you to fashion as you wish
£3.19 per piece 
 


Bow strings and materials  
BOW STRING laid in single loop, let us know the length of your bow, nock slot to nock slot unbraced, when ordering 
£15.50
B-55 bow string material, black or white
£11.50 ¼ lb
 SERVING TOOL
£5.99




SOFT TWIST SERVING THREAD  1oz spool available in various colours 
£5.50
BLOCK OF BEESWAX (large)
£3.99


Arrow making materials
PREMIUM SHAFTS 1/4+9/32 + 5/16 + 11/32 inch diameter 32 inch long in spine weights from 15 to 65lbs in 5 lb increments.(Up to 50lb in 5/16) Lee Ankers Pine.

 PINE  £25.99 doz 

 
 

Matched shafts spined +/- 1lb and weight matched within +/- a silver 3d (25 grains), stock permiting, we will obviously inform you on ordering if this is not possible, 5/16 ONLY

£31.99 doz in  PINE

 
 



 ASH SHAFTS
  3/8 click button for details  ash shafts link
 



POPLAR  shafts shooting quality great finish,  3/8"  for Medieval arrows etc... 
.
£17 for 6 shafts

POPLAR  shafts shooting quality great finish, 1/2" for Medieval arrows etc... 
£23.99 for 6 shafts


POPLAR BOBTAILED  shafts shooting quality great finish, just over 3/8" at one end up to 1/2" at the other for Medieval arrows etc...
£26 for 6 shafts




HORN STRIPS bulk pack 12pcs, 3"-1"-  approx 2mm thick. 
£3.99  

LINEN BINDING THREAD
from SOMAC, NEW larger size 50gm `reverse polished`, natural colour (Ecru), size of thread 3/92
£8.50 per spool 
linen thread
WANT TO BUY ON-LINE?...CLICK HERE
 
Black BLUNTS
See pic for more details...
red head blunts
85p each
 
PLASTIC NOCKS all regular sizes 1/4" 9/32" 5/16" 11/32", various colours
£1.85 doz 

2 ½ INCH PARABOLIC FLETCHES
Available in PINK, ORANGE, YELLOW, BLUE, PURPLE, RED,GREEN,WHITE, BLACK
£3.70 per doz 

3 INCH PARABOLIC FLETCHES
Available in ORANGE,YELLOW, BLUE, PURPLE, RED, WHITE, BLACK
£3.95 doz

4 INCH SHIELD FLETCHES
Available in YELLOW, BLUE, PURPLE, RED, WHITE, BLACK, GREY
£6.60 doz 
 
 
5 ½ INCH SHIELD FLETCHES
Available in WHITE and GREY
£7.90 doz

FULL LENGTH TURKEY FEATHERS(fletchings)WHITE, `GOOSE GREY` and new colours RED,BLACK, BROWN, BLUE, YELLOW AND PURPLE
£0.67p each 
 

BRASS AND STEEL PILES
brass piles
 
WANT TO BUY ON-LINE?...CLICK HERE
 
ARROW PRODUCTION
 
SHERWOOD FLETCHING JIG 6" model (field) £29.99
 
The BIG jig
This handmade jig is perfect for fletching large feathers, Medieval arrows etc.. Will do 8" feathers with ease, made of wood and brass, looks perfect for RE-ENACTMENT use, yet still accurate 
£44.99
 

TAPER TOOL for wooden shafts, 5/16-11/32 - 23/64
£5.15each
 
 
FLETCHING CEMENT quick set H.M.G.
£3.69 per tube 


`FLETCHING TAPE` 
by Bearpaw, approx 60 foot long 
£8.30 a reel 
ARROW MAKING BOOKLET from Richard Head Longbows, describes the Making of target and medieval style arrows
£4 
WANT TO BUY ON-LINE?...CLICK HERE


BRACERS TABS AND QUIVERS

 

BRACER leather lace-up style , hard wearing, various types, see link... 
bracers leather

 


POUCHES, leather, buckle fastening 

£21-£39.99 



 
 
TABS single thickness, 2 hole, beginner type BUY IT NOW TABS
£2.15

  Double thickness leather tab hair face  link to hair faced tab
£4.99
BOW HAND PROTECTOR helps stop feathers cutting the top of the bow hand,   more...
£10.99 

 
 
QUIVERS

BACK QUIVERS 
 
£21.99-£89.99 





LEATHER HIP QUIVERS
Click for pic
£15.99-£99.99 




 Medieval Style Arrow Bag
 

£49
 
 
WANT TO BUY ON-LINE?...CLICK HERE
 
TARGETS
 

            
   
BACKSTOP NETTING    £ P.O.A.
   
TARGET FACES  
Bjorn tough faces 122 cm            £2.50 each
                 "             80 cm           (picture)             £1.15 each
                "            60 cm                 £0.65p each
           ARCHERY DARTS target face   80cm   (picture)                   £1.60 each
           Face pins                      £1.50 for 10
   
 
EASTON trooper fiber glass arrows
£3.25 each
EXTRA SUNDRIES
BOW BAGS
 
 
 
GREEN CLOTH bow bag, ribbon tie, as pic above. 
  £13.99


LONGBOW BAG WITH LEATHER TIE

 White/Oatmeal bow bag

Thick material in a good natural colour ideal for re-enactment and a comes with leather tie attached for closing the opening.   Approx 92" long.


£14.99

 



ARROW MAKING BOOKLET from Richard Head Longbows, describes the Making of target and medieval style arrows 

£4 













 
  EVENTS
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