FReeper Canteen ~ Part VI of The Mongols ~ December 14, 2004

www.coldsiberia.org ^ | December 14, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

[LaDivaLoca]

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ANCIENT WARFARE





Part VI of The Mongols

cont'd Mongolian Bow: Fish Glue and Sinew

As we understand, a composite bow by definition has several layers. We have mentioned the birch frame, and the layer of horn/bone. In addition to this, there is a layer of specially prepared birch bark whose purpose is to protect against penetration of moisture. In addition to this is a layer of sinew, which is taken from deer, moose or other game animals. The tendons of domestic animals may also be used, but Mongols feel that tendons from wild animals like deer, moose and mountain sheep are the strongest and best. Naturally, the bow has to be glued together. The preferred and traditional substance used for the impregnation of both leather as well as their bows is fish glue. As a matter of fact, fish glue has been proven through millennia to be highly capable of resisting moisture. Moreover, it is durable and lasts longer than modern epoxy resins, which are prone to molecular fatigue. Above all, fish glue is available in all the waters of Siberia where fish is living, among them the greatest of them all, Lake Bajkal.

How is fish glue made? The process that yields the highest quality is to take swim bladders from freshwater fish, soak them into hot water to extract the protein substance, and then boil the resultant soup for a prolonged period. If sufficient quantities of swim bladders cannot be obtained, it is also possible to make hide glue by boiling animal skins. This latter method however results in a glue of inferior quality, because it absorbs moisture, whereas glue made from ichthyic air bladders is highly moisture-resistant.

Although all materials needed to build the Mongolian bow are to be found in the immediate natural environment, the whole production process is very complex. It takes a long time to build a bow that is to meet the Old Mongol requirements. We may also assume that the selection of the best wood material for the frame requires knowledge and experience.

The usual procedure in the production of a traditional Mongolian bow is as follows: The wooden frame is cured, and the horns and/or bone to be used are boiled for softness. This makes it possible to fit the different parts together with great precision. As we understand, high-quality Mongolian bowmaking is certainly a most impressive craftsmanship. When the wooden frame, and the horns/bone parts are ready, the sinewing can take place. First the tendons have to be dried. After that, they are crushed until they form a mass of loose fibers. Next, this mass is mixed with fish glue to form a solid but not rigid layer. It is important to apply the correct thickness and amount of sinew, and it is done in a two-stage process with some days in between. Too little makes the bow weaker, too much would make it stiff. When completed the layer of sinew could be as thick as a human finger before drying. Sinew has a peculiar quality: Unlike other materials, its strength increases when subject to stretching or impact. This form of elasticity is a property stemming from the molecular structure of the protein of tendons (collagen), and can be seen as another striking demonstration of the innate superiority of natural solutions and materials. When used in a Mongolian composite bow, the effect is that as the horn plates in the front snap back to their former shape, the sinew layer in front contracts in the same split-second, adding further acceleration to the shot.

At each stage, fish glue has been applied to secure all the parts. In the horns and wooden parts, the sides that are to be glued against each other are first grafted with a toothed special tool in order to give the strongest possible hold.

The last step is usually the applying of the protective birch bark layers, which are also boiled until soft, so ensuring a proper fit before glued to the finished bow. When the layer of birch bark has been added to the composite construction, the whole bow is wrapped tightly in ropes and placed in a form where it is allowed to dry and harden in room temperature for one year or more. This ensures that the bow becomes extremely strong and that it keeps its shape and snappiness even after many years of frequent shooting.

A Mongolian bow is stored in its own leather case, protecting the bow when not in use.

The String

No bow, no matter how powerful, can be shot without a string. Traditional Mongol bowstrings are made from animal hide. First every trace of fat is removed. Thereafter the hide is stretched and twisted. After this treatment it will not stretch, but remain taut. Although the skin of many fur-bearing animals can be used, horse skin is often preferred since it is said that this material maintains suppleness in the exceedingly low winter temperatures of Siberia and Inner Asia. It is also possible to use the intestines of animals as string material, but such strings are not water resistant and thus only suited for use in dry and hot weather.

Silk and cotton, and mixes of these, can also be used. Modern archers generally use dacron and other man-made materials that require high technology to produce and therefore cannot possibly be made by the archer himself. Here we see another example that the use of primitive materials, although demanding in terms of individual skills and work, is the more reliable and sustainable strategy when viewed in a wider perspective.

When the bow is strung, the archer may sit down, using both feet to press against the bow as the limbs were bent while the string was attached. Using another technique, he or she could also stand upright, bow bent under one leg while the other leg holds the outer end. On horseback, the Mongol archer routinely stringed the bow by placing one end of the bow between the foot and the stirrup while the arms pressed against the bow.

Source: http://www.coldsiberia.org/monbow.htm

Next Tuesday Part VII of The Mongols

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

It's a tad cold at your house.

[Kathy in Alaska]

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[Jet Jaguar]

[tomkow6]

 

SALUTE!

 

[tomkow6]

Good morning, LaDiva !! Good morning, Canteen Crew! Good morning, EVERYBODY!

GOOD  

MORNING

TROOPS!

[tomkow6]

 

Today's FEEBLE

YOKE :

Ma, MoJo, & Beachy are sitting in a diner, chatting about various things.
MoJo says, "You know, I'm getting really forgetful. This morning, I was standing at the top of the stairs, and I couldn't remember whether I had just come up or was about to go down."
Beachy says, "You think that's bad? The other day, I was sitting on the edge of my bed, and I couldn't remember whether I was going to bed or had just woken up!"
Ma smiles smugly. "Well, my memory's just as good as it's always been, knock on wood."
She raps the table. With a startled look on her face, Ma asks, "Who's there?!"

[tomkow6]

 

Chicagoland Weather

December 14, 2004
Chicago, IL
Sunrise	7:11 AM (CST)
Sunset	4:20 PM (CST)
Hrs. of Daylight	9 Hrs., 9 Mins.

Currently
17°

Mostly Cloudy

	Hi: 28

	Lo: 17

 

5 Day Forecast

 

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

SUN

 

Partly Cloudy

High:	40
Low:	31

 

Rain/Snow Showers

High:	42
Low:	25

 

Partly Cloudy

High:	38
Low:	30

 

Rain/Snow Showers

High:	43
Low:	34

 

Few Snow Showers

High:	38
Low:	19

 

[Old Sarge]

Greetings, Canteeners,
FReepers, Troops,
and All the Ships at Sea!

Reporting in Drive-by Mode from the Haunted Armory, it's Day 15 of Sarge's Most Excellent Adventure!

Weapons training and common tasks, today, as the Long Drill winds to a close. I'll try and be back for chow with a detailed report. Some of our guys are peeling off for side-shows, so the ranks are thinning a bit for the classes.

Sarge is also involved in the unit's IT deal as well. EVERY soldier has to at least be connected to email in some shape or form - and guess who makes sure of THAT...

Sarge will be in and out of the area all day, so Let's Have Fun!

SARGE

DISCLAIMER: If you want to be on/off Sarge’s Canteen Daily Report, Freepmail with details!

[tomkow6]

You need a spare angel?

Will this one do?

[tiamat]

Well sure and they hand you that!

Really? Haunted?

[tomkow6]

Good morning, Ma!

"Rotten Kid" comes home Saturday, &, yes, I have to go & pick him up.

He already called & said for me to come down in Mom's mini-van, not my car.

[tomkow6]

 Hi, DTogo!

Welcome to the Canteen!

Wanna buy a burka?

 

 

[tomkow6]

 Hi, Ursus arctos horribilis!

Welcome to the Canteen!

Wanna buy a burka?

 

 

[tomkow6]

Good morning, JJ!

[tomkow6]

Good morning, Sarge!

[beachn4fun]

Good morning Everyone. Good morning to our

Military, our Allies and their families.

Good morning and thanks Diva for your continued history lessons.

WOW, I've managed to get here kinda early. I see we haven't even gotten to 100 yet. Where is everyone?

Well, we are starting to feel like winter here on the East Coast. Temps have really dropped and are suppose to stay that way all week.

I see a few new faces this morning. Must give them an official welcome.

Now remember, the Canteen is always open

So, come on in and sit for a while. There's alway plenty of coffee, pancakes, conversation, silliness, and plain old BS.

[tomkow6]

Good morning, Tia!

[tomkow6]

100!