Slinging.org Forum - New Caledonia sling

AncientCraftwork Interfector Viris Spurii Offline Posts: 2403	New Caledonia sling Jan 26^th, 2021 at 10:11am https://www.nma.gov.au/explore/features/cook_forster/objects/sling_and_sling_sto... Sling, plant fibre, New Caledonia, l. 220 cm, Inv. Oz 693; Sling stones, New Caledonia, l. 4.9–6 cm, Inv. Oz 694–698
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TOMBELAINE Funditor Offline Slinging Rocks! Posts: 839 france Gender:	Re: New Caledonia sling Reply #1 - Jan 27^th, 2021 at 3:47am The pouch is interesting. One side is twisted, the other side is braided. A fast and original design. Thank you, J.
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Kick past-moderator Offline Posts: 4481 Finland	Re: New Caledonia sling Reply #2 - Jan 27^th, 2021 at 3:50am It's so thin. I don't know if I would trust such a thin split pouch. I always prefer a thick split pouch so it doesn't twist and holds rigid.
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JudoP Interfector Viris Spurii Offline Rocks away! Posts: 1024 UK	Re: New Caledonia sling Reply #3 - Jan 27^th, 2021 at 5:09am Perhaps it is designed for use only with that very regular ammo. Is the material known?
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Morphy

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Re: New Caledonia sling
Reply #4 - Jan 27^th, 2021 at 6:51am

Very interesting design. Two questions come to me on first glance. 1. Does the braid serve a purpose on the split pouch, is it just part of the method of construction or is it symbolic?

2. Is the tassel a form of "tab" because if so I could see that being very interesting.

2 comments now. It's safe to say if they are going through the trouble of making ammo like that they are probably not lobbing haphazardly into groups of people. Ammo like that is precision and I would guess they are able to aim pretty well with it. If that's the case it's a first step towards the "no mystical sling design" argument. If they are hunting and/or aiming at people's vitals it's probably pretty damn accurate.

2-that pouch is dangerous and garbage and it goes without saying I don't care for it lol.

EDIT: On further examination it’s possible that the flatter braid helps retain the stone better. The other possibility that came to mind is very interesting indeed. Which is: one side of the pouch, the side where the stone exits, tends to take more damage. Possible the reverse twisted cord is the main slinging cord and the braid is added and replaced as needed. A very interesting solution to not using leather to protect your pouch. It also would explain the desire for such a simple design. Anyways just some thoughts.

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NooneOfConsequence

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Re: New Caledonia sling
Reply #5 - Jan 27^th, 2021 at 12:48pm

It’s also possible that they DID use leather over that and the leather didn’t survive.

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“My final hour is at hand. We face an enemy more numerous and cunning than the world has yet seen. Remember your training, and do not fear these unholy hordes. I shall cast the first stone. That will be your sign to attack! But you shall not fight this enemy with stones. No! RAZOR GLANDES! Aim for the eyes! May the Lord have mercy, for we shall show none!“ -Jesus the Noodler (not the real Jesus)

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Morphy

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Re: New Caledonia sling
Reply #6 - Jan 27^th, 2021 at 4:25pm

Or that this is just a silly reproduction for the people who made contact with them to sell for a greatly inflated price.

I didn't see any discoloration on either pouch cord or any other indication it was in contact with leather for a considerable amount of time. But I guess anything is possible. Come to think of it the whole sling looks almost new which makes me a little more suspicious that it was made new to give away or sell.

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Archaic Arms Funditor Offline Testing and inventing "Archaic" weapons. Posts: 780	Re: New Caledonia sling Reply #7 - Jan 28^th, 2021 at 1:38pm If it was made with the intention of being used, I think the reverse-twisted side of the pouch would be in front of the stone (more durable and likely causes less friction), instead of behind it. (assuming a right-handed slinger)
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Morphy Slinging.org Moderator Offline Checkmate Posts: 8239	Re: New Caledonia sling Reply #8 - Jan 28^th, 2021 at 2:06pm Whatever the case it's longer than I would've expected. Many of these indigenous slings seem quite long. I wonder how accurate they were with them?
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wanderer

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Re: New Caledonia sling
Reply #9 - Jan 28^th, 2021 at 3:31pm

Morphy wrote on Jan 28^th, 2021 at 2:06pm:

Whatever the case it's longer than I would've expected. Many of these indigenous slings seem quite long. I wonder how accurate they were with them?

This picture has turned up before, or at least an earlier possibly lower resolution version did. I think this is another of those polynesian-type slings where you can start it off wrapped around your back.

I dimly recall some literature describing the semi-formal in Hawaii (maybe?) battles starting with someone letting rip with something like this over the heads of the opposing group, more as a part of the preamble.

It's not clear to me how accurate they were, but must have been devastating to a fairly closely packed group. Certainly allusions to finding these projectiles stuck into palm tree trunks.

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Morphy

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Re: New Caledonia sling
Reply #10 - Jan 28^th, 2021 at 4:21pm

wanderer wrote on Jan 28^th, 2021 at 3:31pm:

Morphy wrote on Jan 28^th, 2021 at 2:06pm:

Whatever the case it's longer than I would've expected. Many of these indigenous slings seem quite long. I wonder how accurate they were with them?

This picture has turned up before, or at least an earlier possibly lower resolution version did. I think this is another of those polynesian-type slings where you can start it off wrapped around your back.

I dimly recall some literature describing the semi-formal in Hawaii (maybe?) battles starting with someone letting rip with something like this over the heads of the opposing group, more as a part of the preamble.

It's not clear to me how accurate they were, but must have been devastating to a fairly closely packed group. Certainly allusions to finding these projectiles stuck into palm tree trunks.

While it looks quite impractical to me I admit the amount of tribal sling battles to the death I've been involved in is trivial compared to their experience. I will yield to the experts. The stones being stuck in a palm is no joke. Some of those palms are tough lol.

You may remember this Wanderer but Whipartist awhile back sunk a stone fairly deep into a sequoia. Granted they have relatively soft, thick bark but it sure looked cool and I'm sure the forest rangers have all sorts of theories on that one.

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