Sling
A sling is a ranged weapon typically used to throw a blunt projectile made up of stone, clay, or lead. A sling has a small cradle or pouch in the middle of two retention cords. A projectile is placed in the pouch. There is a loop on the end of one side of the retention cords. Depending on the design of the sling, either the middle finger or the wrist is placed through a loop on the end of one cord, and a tab at the end of the other cord is placed between the thumb and forefinger. The sling is swung over the head in an arc to gain momentum, and the tab released at a precise moment. This action releases the projectile to fly towards the target.
Materials needed
- Bark fibre, a possible material to craft the sling.[1]
- Projectiles, which can be made up of stone, clay or lead. The projectiles should be smooth in order not to grip onto the pouch when released and fly straight towards the target when released. Larger projectiles swing slower, are easier to time the release and carry more momentum.[1]
Crafting instructions
If the sling is made up of bark fibre, it can be peeled from a tree brach, separating the inner bark from tthe outer one and pulled apart to form thin strips. The strips are then left overnight to dry slightly, and afterwards twisted into cordage (thin ropes) with two strands. To twist the strands into cordage, Two or more are both twisted individually in one direction and are then twisted together in the opposite direction.[1]
The cord is then tied in such a way that a section of three cords is formed in the middle of the length. A single strip of bark is weaved between the cord's three pieces to form the pouch to hold stones. A loop is tied at one end of the sling to slip over the finger and a knot tied in the other end to be held onto and released while firing.[1]
If the sling is too long, its length can be shortened it by tying knots in the cord.[1]
Use
The loop is slipped over the finger and the knot in the other end is held between the thumb and forefinger. After placing a projectile in the pouch, the sling should be swung over the head at the same plane the target is at, and the tab should be released at the moment when the stone is heading towards the target.[1]
See also
References
External links
- Primitive Technology: Sling - Primitive Technology, 27 November 2015, YouTube
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