[Sca-cooks] slings

[rbbtslyr]

I know in the hands of an expert, from hearing old timers tell it, that a sling could bring down up to deer size game at close range and at a reasonable range a catamount (mountain lion) and similar size animals. The slings add quite a bit of force compared to tossing a stone and a round clay or lead ball would be more accuarate and could be devestating. It works on the same principal as a spear chucker or Attalia (sp?) and makes the weapon quite effective.  Modern slingshots with surgical rubberbands aren't nearly as effective.

Kirk

Meddle not in the Affairs of Dragons, for thou art Crunchy and Taste Good with Catsup or BBQ Sauce

Liberty Hill, SC Elevation 571 ft  

Liberty Hill, SC (Kershaw)
Longitude: 80° 48' 7" W (-80.8019°)
Latitude: 34° 28' 41" N (34.4781°)
Grid: EM94 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Daniel Phelps 
  To: Cooks within the SCA 
  Sent: Saturday, June 04, 2005 11:43 PM
  Subject: Re: [Sca-cooks] slings


  Was written:

  > That is the example of sling use which many people think of, but to
  > bring this back to medieval times, the sling was also used throughout
  > the Middle Ages for both hunting and in combat. I doubt that most of
  > would be good enough with it to get supper with one, though. :-)

  The hand sling was, if I am not mistaken, traditionally a rural
  peasant/poacher's weapon used to bag small game, i.e. the occasional
  squirrel, rabbit etc.  Sort of a medieval 22.  Yes it would require practice
  to use effectively but I would think that a bored sheepherder, pigherder,
  cattleherder etc. would have plenty of time to achieve reasonable
  proficiency as well as the incentive to do so if only to supplement his
  diet.   Of course hand chunking a smooth creek stone might be nearly as
  effective given sufficient practice.  Be that as it may I seem to recall
  reading that clay sling bullets have been found at battle sites in the
  middle east.  Does anyone recall any specific references?

  There was a short article I read quite a few years back written by a fellow
  over in Meridies regarding the staff sling as a instrument of war.
  Essentially it was apparently a "hand trebuchet" peasant levy weapon which,
  if used in mass fire mode, could presumedly interdict a specified area of
  effect with a substantial hail of projectiles.  Intuitively it would seem to
  have been less effective than massed arrow fire, albeit requiring less
  training and expense, yet questions remain in my mind as to maximum
  effective range vs. presumed appropriate projectile weights.  Does anyone
  recall any specific references?

  Daniel


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