After reading this article, you will get a steady idea of what the forend is, where it is used and what it is intended for. In order to better understand the meaning of a word, first you need to understand its pedigree - etymology and origin.
The origin and meaning of the word "forend"
To date, none of the current dictionaries has data on the origin of the word "forearm", however, some of them give the interpretation of this concept as a plural of the outdated and now rarely used word "forend".
In its original meaning, this word denoted the whole part of any subject. It was convenient to clutch her hands during operation. It should not be forgotten that initially the process of holding this or that object was designated by the verb "cling". Our forefathers clutched at the forearm, or clung.
According to another common version, the word "forend" comes from the terms "whole", "holistic". It was such epithets that our ancestors picked up for durable and strong objects that they met in everyday life.
What is the forearm among the gunsmiths?
Weapons gunsmiths call a special part of small arms, which, as it were, surrounds its trunk from below and performs several key functions at once:
- The fore-end serves as a place for which it is convenient to hold a gun or carbine during a shot. This allows not only to increase accuracy when aiming, but also to protect the hand from the thermal effect of powder gases during firing. This is important, because when carrying out bursts of shots the barrel can heat up several hundred degrees. Even with short-term contact with the hot metal surface, the arrow will be ensured a thermal burn. Under the conditions of real hostilities, this may threaten the incapacitation of personnel.
- In addition, the fore-end plays the role of protecting the barrel from deformation of the structure. A well-made structure slightly increases the weight of the finished weapon unit, however, it serves as an additional stiffening rib and minimizes the risk of muzzle deformation.
- Handguards are made of wood, iron or composite materials. On some small arms, an element can also serve as part of a reload mechanism. As a rule, such structures are installed in shotguns and pump-action shotguns.
Forearm in obsolete meaning
The answer to the question of what is a forearm would not be complete without mentioning the second meaning of the word, which is rarely used in practice.
Based on the etymology, we can guess that the forearm can denote any long and integral elements of household items and specialized devices. So, the forearm is an integral part of the design of the anchor and is a monolithic cylinder, to which its legs and horns are attached.
In a somewhat miniature form, the element can be found in a fishing hook. The forearm meaning can be illustrated by another example.
Frequent market visitors or sellers may be familiar with a special device for weighing products called steelyard. In its construction, the forearm plays a key role. It is through this detail that the force created by the weight of the products, which pull the spring mechanism down, is transmitted, due to which their weight is shown.
Today these are the main interpretations of what forends are and what they are used for.