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Slingshot
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A slingshot (also sometimes called a shanghai, or in Britain a catapult or katty) is a small hand-powered projectile weapon. The forked Y-shaped frame has two rubber strips attached to the uprights, leading back to a pocket for holding the projectile.
It is normally fired by holding the frame in the non-dominant hand, extended at arms length.
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Encyclopedia
A slingshot (also sometimes called a shanghai, or in Britain a catapult or katty) is a small hand-powered projectile weapon. The forked Y-shaped frame has two rubber strips attached to the uprights, leading back to a pocket for holding the projectile.
It is normally fired by holding the frame in the non-dominant hand, extended at arms length. The pocket is then gripped between thumb and forefinger of the dominant hand, pulled back to near the cheek, aimed and the pocket released to fire the projectile toward the target.
Home-made slingshots were a popular children's toy for much of the twentieth century.
History
The classic form of sligshot relies upon the availability of vulcanized rubber. The most common source of rubber was from the inner tubes of tires and so it seems unlikely that they were constructed before 1888. Once invented they became an archetypal boy's toy up until shortly after World War II. These were generally self-made from a forked tree branch and "red rubber" inner tubes. (Later inner tubes had carbon-black added, which made them much less elastic. Modern inner tubes use synthetic rubber and in fact quite a few tires are now tubeless).
Commercial versions were available from early on and in 1948 Wham-O had as their first product a slingshot, but the sophisticated modern models start with the first wrist-braced slingshot—the Saunders "Wrist-Rocket", in 1954.
Construction and use
Although the simple forked stick and rubber models are still made by children and adults, there are now a range of commercial models, including very sophisticated and powerful ones.
There are many professional catapult makers in the UK, and many people collect them. Custom catapults are made from many, and varied, materials: buffalo horn, deer antler, exotic hardwoods, micarta, brass, bronze, aluminium, and, on occasion, precious metals. Often these metal forks are dressed with 'scales', ie sides, as on a knife.
Many custom catapults are made in the style of the famouse MILBRO catapult of the 1950's. Original milbro forks can, and often do, sell for in excess of £40.00. Custom versions may sell for in excess of £100.00
Many types of rubber are used, but there are three main varieties: square, tube, and flatbands. Amongst the makes of flatband material are linatex and theraband, these were designed for various medical and industrial uses, and have been adapted for their catapult use. Usually the flat band material is cut tapered ie 3/4" to 1/2" and about 5" long.
Many more powerful commercial slingshots now have a wrist-brace and some models have stabilizers, rotating prongs, sighting mechanisms, and other sophisticated improvements. While these are not necessary they usually improve accuracy, and the power and lifespan of the bands.
The material is critical. The best widely-available material is dipped latex rubber surgical tubing or latex sheeting. It lasts about six months before it needs to be replaced. It can be attached to the frame and packet by stretching it over a metal rod of the correct diameter. Some slingshots are constructed of metal tubing of the exact diameter. Rubbers should be stored under water - away from sunlight, which causes them to stiffen and crack.
A slingshot champion appearing on the David Letterman Show some years ago recommended holding the projectile pocket at a fixed position near the body, such as the hip and moving the frame based on instinct and practice, like a gunslinger or hip-shooter in the American "Wild West". Many gunslingers could hit a target without raising their weapon to eye level.
The common slingshot is made out of wood and rubber tubing. Usually it has a leather pouch in which the projectile is placed.
Hunting
A sling can be powerful enough to hunt game such as small rodents and birds at ranges up to 25 meters. A typical heavy pull band slingshot should be used with 9mm (3/8") to 12mm (1/2") steel balls. Using lighter ammunition doesn't increase the speed of the projectile significantly.
In the UK where there is a strong following of hunting with catapults,a variety of game is taken
amongst them hares, rabbits ,pheasants, geese,ducks , pidgion,dove, rook, and all manner of other species.usually expert catapult hunters use lead ball projectiles often sized at .44 and .50 calibre which mostly they cast themselves using musket ball molds.
Sport
Slingshots may also be used in recreational paintball games as backup or silent sniper weapon (Slingshot paintball). Even though the average speed and distance of a slingshot is slightly less than that of a paintball gun , some paintball playing fields may not allow them.
Business Applications
Slingshots are also used by arborists and tree workers to place lines high in trees. The most common such device is the "Big Shot" made by Sherrill Tree Company. This slingshot is roughly six feet (2 meters) tall and is used to launch small weighted bags attached to a line.
In popular culture
- In the anime/manga series One Piece, one of the main characters, Usopp, uses a slingshot.
- In Earthbound the slingshot is an equipable weapon for every party member except Poo.
- Slingshots appear as highly effective weapons in Stephen King's It, The Dark Tower IV: Wizard and Glass and Thinner.
- Slingshots are frequently depicted as the favored weapons of monkeywrenchers for the ability to use improvised ammunition like stones and bolts to destroy sensitive equipment.
- In the Beverly Hillbillies, the slingshot is the weapon of Elly May Clampett.
See also
External links
- simple forked-stick style.
- enthusiast's site
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