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Pics of ancient slingers (Read 88394 times)
slingbadger
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Re: Pics of ancient slingers
Reply #15 - Nov 7th, 2009 at 6:41pm
 
Sometimes the shields were simply wicker. Not much use against swords, or even arrows. Slingers were always the lowest people in the armies.
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David Morningstar
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Re: Pics of ancient slingers
Reply #16 - Nov 8th, 2009 at 11:56am
 
Thearos wrote on Nov 7th, 2009 at 6:19pm:
and a single grip, bossed shield at that


Bossed, yes. But single grip? If you measure the slingers throwing arm and compare it to the shield arm you can see he is wearing it strapped to his forearm. It would make sense to make a shield that can be held either way.


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David Morningstar
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Re: Pics of ancient slingers
Reply #17 - Nov 8th, 2009 at 12:07pm
 
slingbadger wrote on Nov 7th, 2009 at 6:41pm:
Sometimes the shields were simply wicker. Not much use against swords, or even arrows. Slingers were always the lowest people in the armies.


Wicker shields are very effective at stopping arrows:

"…the Persians had made a barricade of their wicker shields and from the protection of it were shooting arrows from it in such numbers…" Herodotus IX,61

I remember but cant now find a description of an experimental shield of wicker, two layers wound in opposite directions and covered in goatskin. This was very lightweight but stopped powerful arrows. The point penetrates but the shaft is 'gripped' by the wicker and only goes through a few inches.

More shield talk here: http://www.myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=7175

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Curious Aardvark
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Re: Pics of ancient slingers
Reply #18 - Nov 8th, 2009 at 12:26pm
 
Quote:
Can't help but notice that several have their stones in pouches on their throwing side.  A bit awkward, that. Wink

Once you try it you'll find it's the other way round that's awkward Smiley

I LOVE the mustachios on the britons - bet davids got mustache envy ! lol
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David Morningstar
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Re: Pics of ancient slingers
Reply #19 - Nov 8th, 2009 at 2:37pm
 
No envy here, I have a fine example of the type  Cool
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walter
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Re: Pics of ancient slingers
Reply #20 - Nov 9th, 2009 at 8:15pm
 
Looks like if you carry a shield, you should get comfortable loading right handed.

walter
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Perseverence furthers
 
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Re: Pics of ancient slingers
Reply #21 - Nov 10th, 2009 at 2:39am
 

This is exactly how I do it, cos I learned it from this page: http://www.zinfinium.net/index.php?id=157
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Jaegoor
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Re: Pics of ancient slingers
Reply #22 - Dec 7th, 2009 at 2:27pm
 
he Slinger on the Trajan column does not show the reality. However, we have developed a technology for Slings and Shields.

Here for you a few traditional pictures
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Bono Mellius
 
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Re: Pics of ancient slingers
Reply #23 - Dec 7th, 2009 at 5:45pm
 
Midway down the picture is a slinger with a shield. Notice the unusual thumbless grip he uses. The release is a simple loop over the index finger. About a year ago someone posted some pictures of slingers in the Kenyan disturbances using this style of release. There seemed to be some controversy that the photos were merely posed and that style of release wouldn't really be practical. However the fine detail on this picture makes me think that it is accurate and not merely artistic license.

I know that Eoraptor holds the release bead between her index and middle fingers. Does anyone on the forum use this loop or other unusual release styles?
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Thearos
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Re: Pics of ancient slingers
Reply #24 - Dec 7th, 2009 at 7:52pm
 
C12th century stuff.

Isn't the slinger throwing with retention loop on index, and somehow releasing with the other fingers ?
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Re: Pics of ancient slingers
Reply #25 - Dec 7th, 2009 at 8:12pm
 
Hadn't considered that possibility but still think the index finger loop is the release. The loop is large and loose fitting and the finger partially relaxed. The other fingers seem much more clenched, possibly holding a toggle.
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Masiakasaurus
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Re: Pics of ancient slingers
Reply #26 - Dec 7th, 2009 at 8:15pm
 
I'm with Aussie. Maybe the artist had a sling in front of him, and invented a way to hold it without first hand experience?
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Pikåru wrote on Nov 19th, 2013 at 6:59pm:
Massi - WTF? It's called a sling. You use it to throw rocks farther and faster than you could otherwise. That's all. 
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wanderer
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Re: Pics of ancient slingers
Reply #27 - Dec 8th, 2009 at 7:12am
 
Aussie wrote on Dec 7th, 2009 at 8:12pm:
Hadn't considered that possibility but still think the index finger loop is the release. The loop is large and loose fitting and the finger partially relaxed. The other fingers seem much more clenched, possibly holding a toggle.

I agree the release is likely made with the index finger, although it seems incredibly awkward to me.

Isn't that a traction trebuchet in the background?
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Thearos
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Re: Pics of ancient slingers
Reply #28 - Dec 8th, 2009 at 11:20am
 
You're right-- trebuchet, with lots of loosely hanging ropes for the team of pullers !

I still think hooked on index, and released from between third and fourth fingers. Try it !
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Jaegoor
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Re: Pics of ancient slingers
Reply #29 - Dec 8th, 2009 at 12:31pm
 
Mideval paintings where never photorealistic - they always are "talking" pictures.
We don´t know what the atist want to say, but there must be a reason to put a slinger in a good and important position like he does.
Normaly they show important persons like a king in the middle of a picture, thats why I think the artist want to say something spezial like:" ..the defenders where less armed and had not as many knights as the agressors, but win.." or something like this.

This kind of release would be just possible if he uses his arm like a Fustibal and in this case he really would release the loop.
But this would decrease the power of the weapon extremly.

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Bono Mellius
 
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