The current specifications for a longbow to be shot in that class/style are as follows
(‘ENGLISH’) LONGBOW EQUIPMENT RULES COLLATED 2021
BRITISH LONG-BOW SOCIETY (2009) (OCR- Apologies if any glitches)
"TACKLE
8.Bows.
The bow shall be the traditional 19th century recreational long-bow made from wood, either "self*. ‘backed" or “laminated" with cambered (stacked) belly and horn nocks. . The bow shall be not less than 5 feet in length for an arrow of less than 27 inches and not less than 5 feet 6 inches in length for a 27 inch or longer arrow, this being measured along the back between the string nocks. At no point shall the depth of the bow. measured from back to belly, be less than 5/8 (five eights) of the width of the bow at the same section. The bow may carry no support for the arrow. Bows of bamboo constructed in conformity with die above shall be permitted. For reasons of safety, bows over 70 lbs weight at Hill draw are not allowed for Target or Clout shooting. In addition the following shall apply:
(1) Self and backed Bows. The profile of self bows and bows backed with a single laminate shall be governed solely by the unaltered natural shape of the staves or billets from which the belly of the bow is made, the depth of tie back shall generally not be more than a third of the total at any point.
(2) Laminated Bows. Laminated bows may be made from wood or bamboo and may contain from three to six laminations from back to belly inclusive. When braced the profile of each limb shall be a simple curve from handle to nock.
(3) Adhesives. Modern adhesives are permitted in the making of the bow but may be used for no purpose other than joining together the various sections.
Nocks. The horn nocks shall completely surround the tip of each limb.
For all Bows the string may contact the braced how only at the nocks and shall not touch the limbs. Extra laminations at the nocks to thicken the bow. or to help to separate string from the bow. are not allowed.
9. Strings, Strings may be of either natural or man-made substance and may, if desired, embody a “kisser” at any point as required to facilitate, by contact with the lips a consistent draw position but for no other purpose. The use of extended platform tabs is not permitted,
10. Sights and Points of Aim. Sights, as such, are not permitted. Marks on the bow limb or rubber bands of no more than 1/8 (one eighth) inch in depth and thickness, or marks on the bow hand, are allowed. Artificial points of aim or. the ground arc permitted, but they shall not exceed a height from the ground of 6 inches or a diameter of 3 inches nor impede any other Archer. Only one aiming aid may be used at any one time.
11. Target and Clout Arrows, Arrows stall have wooden steles (shafts)* shall be fitted with feather fletchings and may have either hem reinforced, self or applied nocks. Files should not exceed the diameter of foe shaft at the point of fitment. Shouldered piles, whilst not disallowed, should be avoided because of excess damage to straw targets. Broadhead, edged, bodkin, silverspoon or other large diameter piles are not permitted. Arrows must be properly marked so that there shall be no difficulty in claiming them. "
Bow class rules 2021: ARCHERY GB
"The bow shall be the traditional longbow made from wood, either “self”, “backed”, or
“laminated” with cambered (stacked) belly and horn nocks. With the exception of the “self” bow,
each limb of the bow shall form a single simple curve from the handle to the nock when at full
draw. The bow shall be not less than five feet in length for an arrow of less than 27 inches and;
not less than five feet six inches in length for a 27” or longer arrow, this being measured along
the back between the string nocks. At no point shall the depth of the bow, measured from back
to belly, be less than 5/8 (five eighths) of the width of the bow at the same section. The bow
may carry no support for the arrow. Bows of bamboo, constructed in conformity with the above,
shall be permitted."
NFAS
Longbow (LB)
"Summary: Wooden longbow ("D" or oval section). No sight. Wooden arrows. Finger release only ("Mediterranean" loose). No stabilisers. No draw checks. No memoranda.The bow, of any draw-weight, must be of wood only (although partial bamboo construction is permitted), and of "D" or oval section.
When braced the limbs must curve in one direction only from the handle riser to the string nock. When braced the string must not come into contact with the face of either limb except at the nock grooves. The ends of the limbs cannot be recurved. Limb nocks must be of self-nature or made of horn. The handle section/grip must not be shaped in a way that assists hand location. Any hand grip must not be capable of supporting an arrow when the bow is held vertically. The bow must be free of stabilisers or added weight, sights, arrow-rests or cut-aways for the arrow to rest on.
The bowstring may be of different colours as long as the coloured strands run continuously and evenly throughout the string's length, but the centre serving must be of one colour. One nocking position is permitted (which may be indicated by nocking points both above and below the arrow). Brush buttons and silencers are permitted but no other knots or attachments (in addition to the string serving) that could be used for sighting or location purposes are allowed. No additional vibration dampeners are allowed on the handle section or limbs of the bow. One anchor point must be maintained throughout the shoot. The "Mediterranean" loose only is permitted. No draw-checks of any kind are permitted.
No form of release aid is permitted.
No deliberate marks can be added to the bow that can be used for aiming.
Arrows shafts must be of wood, fletched with natural feather. No archer may refer to any memoranda which could in any manner be a means of improving his/her score."
HMG Nov 2021
