History knows many types of knives. One of the simplest, most ancient and unusual is considered a sling. She existed for millennia. And even in the 20th century, a certain time was popular in the armies of many nations.
The essence of the concept
It’s not at all difficult to figure out what a sling is. The definition of this term is simple - cold throwing weapons made of fabric or leather. In its structure, it should have a place in which a stone or core will be held. The strips of fabric and skin themselves are wide. There is no point in specially refitting them.
If the sling is made of a cord, then a bed of leather is built exactly in the middle of it, or something like a hammock is woven. Having seen at least once in a lifetime, each person will forever remember what a sling is.
Operating principle
Even in ancient times, the meaning of the word "sling" was explained as a cold throwing weapon, which meant the obligatory presence of objects that needed to be "shot" at the enemy. To begin with, the device itself is constructed in such a way that a throwing object is held in it. In order not to lose a weapon, one of its ends was put on a hand or finger with a loop. The second was clamped between the thumb and forefinger, so that at the right time release it and make a shot.
Speed, force and range are achieved by centrifugal force. To unwind the projectile, the thrower makes circular motions in a vertical or horizontal plane. At the moment of greatest tension, the free end is released, and the stone flies forward, continuing its movement by inertia.
So that the free end does not slip out ahead of time, a knot is often made on it. Basically, rotational movements occur in the horizontal plane. Vertical slings were untwisted only in tight formation, since such a movement does not give the accuracy and speed of throwing that a sling can receive by unwinding a projectile above his head.
Throwing accuracy
Anyone who knows what a sling is will say with confidence that aiming it is very difficult. The novice slinger must learn to launch the core at least in front of him. The thing is that determining the right moment when letting go of the rope is not easy. The projectile can fly away not only forward, but also sideways or backward, injuring a colleague.
Experienced slingers at the level of touch feel the right moment. In addition, they can shoot more or less accurately. Of course, it is not possible to get a squirrel in the eye from a sling. But to aim at the head or stomach is quite real.
Almost everyone knows the Biblical legend, in which the sling of David immediately defeated the giant Goliath. At that time, the future king was a very aimed shooter, which he achieved exclusively through labor and lengthy training.
Nature of damage
A properly launched stone or shell from a sling could put an enemy out of action. This was achieved due to fractures and concussions caused by missiles. The thing is that in ancient times, these injuries practically did not respond to treatment. Many doctors did not even suspect how to provide first aid. As a result, warriors became unable to continue to be in the army.
To get into the enemy was not difficult. The tight formation of the soldiers himself contributed to the fact that a stone would definitely fall into it. It was only necessary to approach a sufficient distance. Once this succeeded, many enemies understood the meaning of the word “sling” in practice. A sufficient distance was considered 150-180 meters. The same arrows in prehistoric times gave a range of up to 100 meters.
Slings and arrows: the eternal confrontation
Some weapons historians believe that slings were popular before the appearance of the bow. In fact, such a statement has no historical evidence.
The first sling found was resting in the
tomb of Tutankhamun. It is known that these weapons were used before. During the prosperity of ancient Egypt, bows were already invented. But it was considered an elite weapon. A do-it-yourself sling was constructed in a few minutes from improvised material, while for a bow it was necessary to have a special strong tree brought from Namibia along the Nile.
Regarding the firing range, the bows were also inferior to the prascha for a long time. Even an improvised stone flew 50 meters farther than a special expensive feathered arrow. Only with the invention of the double-curved bow did this situation change in the direction of the latter.
And finally, an important parameter: the cost of shooting. For a sling, a shell could be any heavy and small object. Even when the special throwing nuclei ended, the sling continued to fire, though not so distant and aimed, with stones and fragments of buildings. Each arrow for a bow cost a lot of money, and it was not possible to build it from improvised materials.
First mention
In the ancient Sumerian epic dated 5 millennium BC, there is a mention of what a sling is. The definition of this concept is quite close to modern. Therefore, it can be argued that this is one of the first weapons invented by man.
Further, he is repeatedly spoken of in the Old Testament, written a couple of millennia BC. The most famous of them is David's sling. There are some debates regarding it. There are scientists who suggest that David did not have a sling, but a slingshot or fastibal. But there is strong evidence that the famous shepherd shot it with slings.
On the frescoes of Ancient Egypt, images of slingers are also repeatedly found. Therefore, to speak of such references as Illiad or Odyssey does not seem correct, since at that time the slingers were a professional army, its main striking force, supporting heavy infantry and cavalry.
Middle Ages
Even in the Middle Ages, many armies knew what a sling was. Firstly, it was a weapon of the lower classes. Secondly, everyone could build it on the battlefield. Therefore, even elite warriors were taught to shoot from these weapons.
Thirdly, targeted fire from a sling seriously put opponents out of action, while a slinger himself could cover himself with his shield with his free hand, protecting himself from enemy arrows and stones, which archers could not do.
The extinction of the popularity of slings occurred at the time of the invention of firearms. It has become a relatively inexpensive, but very effective replacement for old throwing weapons. The sling also ceased to inflict such severe injuries, as the warriors began to put on strong armor that successfully protected them from flying stones and arrows, but not from lead bullets.
Second rebirth
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the military invented grenades, the effectiveness of which depended on the throwing range. And some military men remembered that a sling, built with improvised materials from improvised materials, could help in this matter.
The military commanders began to train soldiers to use these weapons correctly. As a result, the Spanish Civil War of 1936–39 took place using a sling as a grenade launcher.
Also, in the Russo-Finnish war, the Finns did not hesitate to use these weapons to keep the enemy at a considerable distance from themselves.
But already in 1942, the first mechanical bazooka grenade launcher was invented, and the slings were again abandoned.
A significant drawback for throwing grenades was considered the danger of being blown up if you hold back a little with a throw or launch a grenade in the wrong direction.
Relatives Sling
By the principle of the action of these weapons, they tried to build more advanced mechanisms that could increase the range and accuracy of the flight of the stone. But nobody succeeded.
The most popular relative is considered Fustibal. What is a sling of this type, it is clear from its second name - the staff-sling. A stone mount was tied to a long stick, unwound and started. Fustibal showed his greatest effectiveness as a siege weapon. With its help, it was possible to throw shells and infected parts of the flesh into the besieged city.
An interesting option, similar in principle to action, is considered to be a bola (bolas) - a rope with core balls tied at the ends. All this shell was launched as a victim in order to entangle her and prevent her from escaping. Most often used in the hunt for wild animals with the aim of further taming them.
Nowadays, as a weapon, sling is not at all popular. Photos of her can be found in museums and history books. But there are also enthusiasts who are engaged in the reconstruction of ancient battles. They study this weapon and try to convey its features to the masses, so that this truly global invention of mankind is not lost for centuries.