Most Copper Eskimo bows were made from three pieces of spruce which were scarfed together with V-joints and secured with sinew. Because spruce was not strong enough to resist repeated flexing, a multi-strand cable of sinew was stretched along the front of the bow and attached to the nock at either end. The cable was secured at the joints and middle of the bow by sinew lashings. In response to varying temperature and humidity the cable could be tightened or loosened to ensure maximal performance of the bow. The archer held the bow in almost a horizontal position when shooting.
In order to protect his bow, the Copper Eskimo carried it inside a sealskin case which opened on one side. Arrows were stored in a sealskin quiver which was sewn or buttoned to the bow case. A tool bag with supplies and implements for archery and hunting in general was also attached to the case, and various toggles and needles permitted the attachment of whatever else the hunter might wish to carry. The bow case and all associated material were carried on the hunter's back. Diamond Jenness described the contents of a completely furnished tool bag:
Two marline-spikes for the bow lashings; two twisters for the bow lashings; one or more spare wedges to go under the lashings; feathers for the arrows, kept usually in a small bag of marmot or other skin; a small board for trimming the feathers; a grooving tool for attaching the feathers; a little caribou back sinew for lashing the feathers, splicing the arrows, sewing rents in clothing, etc; spare parts of arrows for repairs; bone skewers for the carcasses of game; bone pins for the bag that contained the caribou blood; a wrist guard; a drinking tube; a needle-case and needle, a mattock for making a hunting pit [if too large for the tool bag this was carried in the quiver or even in the bow-case]; an arrow straightener.
Courtesy: National Museum of Man, National Museums of Canada (AC-8-S88-7)
