Crimean Tatar · 15th–18th c. · Eastern Europe
The Raider
Power and precision from Eastern Europe.
A working replica, without compromise, of a Tatar bow taken at the Siege of Vienna.
Draw it yourself
How the Raider comes to full draw.
Weight beyond 28″ is a linear estimate for guidance only. Every bow is weighed at 28″.
Shoot the Raider on the rangeIn the round
Turn the Raider in your hands.
A 3D model built from the Raider’s own measurements: hardwood riser and siyahs, laminated bamboo limbs, phenolic tips and string bridges.
The story
Power and precision from Eastern Europe
For three centuries Crimean Tatar light cavalry were the scourge of Eastern Europe. They rode as outriders on their Ottoman masters’ campaigns, and their raids gave them a fearsome reputation. True descendants of their Mongol forebears, they moved fast and far on light horses — but there was nothing ‘light’ about their bows.
The Raider is based on bow SA 3158 in the Manchester Archery Collection, originally taken as booty when the Ottomans and their allies were defeated at the Siege of Vienna in 1683. Paragon’s masterpiece uses the efficiency, flexibility and reliability of modern materials to create a working replica without compromise.
Materials
What it’s made of.
- Riser & siyah woodsAsh, Maple, Cherry
- Phenolic overlaysBlack or brown, on the bow tips
- Fibreglass laminationsClear or black, in any configuration
- Limb coreBamboo
- ConstructionStrengthened with a polymer composite for longitudinal and lateral stability
Options & prices
Make it yours.
Riser finish
- Cow-leather cover with cow-suede arrow passesIncluded
- Built-in dual hard-wearing arrow passes, no leather coverIncluded
- Hard-wearing arrow passes with leather grip£20
- Stingray arrow pass with leather grip£15
Limbs
- Dye stain on the bamboo core (clear glass only, up to #50 @28)£10 per side
Decoration
- Kirinte overlays on the bow tipsColour options on request£20
- Semi decoration on the limb backs (no calligraphy)Discussed with you before work begins£70
- Full calligraphy on the limb backs, by a professional calligrapherPaid up front when ordering£150
- Hand-painted grey cattle-horn imitation on the bellies£50
Plates
The Raider, close up.
From the archers
“You commission a work of art.”
What archers say after the bow arrives. Five-star reviews on the Paragon Bows Facebook page.
“When you buy a bow from Rob you commission a work of art. You also get a bow that shoots fantastically well!”
Pat FitzGerald★★★★★“Robert Pozderka is a master bowyer and pours his heart and soul into each bow. The bows are truly spectacular and a true delight to shoot! Would truly recommend a bow from Paragon Bows.”
Trilochan Singh★★★★★“The bow made by Paragon is not only an ultimate performance bow but also a piece of art, and a must-have in the collection of any traditional archery fan.”
Tomasz Matuszewski★★★★★“Amazing bows, wonderful communication, incredible quality.”
Jose Claure★★★★★The rest of the collection