FReeper Canteen ~ Part VII of The Mongols ~ December 21, 2004

www.coldsiberia.org ^ | December 21, 2004 | LaDivaLoca

[LaDivaLoca]

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday...
Thank the Veterans who served in
The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom?
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ANCIENT WARFARE





Part VII of The Mongols

cont'd Mongolian Bow: The Shooting

The Old Mongols have their own technique for shooting, known as the "Mongolian release." The Mongols, if right-handed, keep their bow in the left hand, pushes it forward as the right arm pulls the string all the way back to behind the ear. The left arm is now fully extended, and the release is near. However, now comes an interesting part. Since this bow has immense power, the Mongols have to use a special technique to hold the string during the drawing of the bow and before the arrow is released. The technique is as follows: The string is held by the thumb, since this is the strongest finger. Still, it is not easy to hold 166 pounds comfortably. Thus, the thumb is supported with the index finger curling around, placed atop the outermost joint, exactly at the base of the nail. The other fingers are also curled, forming a fist. Even so, this is not enough. Hence, the Mongols use a special ring on which the string is hooked before release. This thumb ring, a cylinder that fits around the outer part of the thumb and protects its pad from damage as the string is released, is typically made from Chinese jade or agate, but leather, metal and bone is also known to have been used.

Mongolian soldiers used to shoot while sitting on horseback, and with deadly accuracy. This was done by skilfully timing the shots to the moment when the hooves of the horse were in mid-air, so as to avoid disturbing the aim when they hit the ground.

The Arrows

Birch is a typical material for arrows too. The normal length of an arrow is between 80 and 100 cm, and the shaft's diameter is around 10 mm.

As for fletchings, tail feathers of crane are favored, but tail feathers of all birds are usable. Eagle feathers make a particularly exclusive arrow, but since eagles are rare most arrows obviously cannot have fletchings from eagle's tail feathers. Feathers taken from the wings are said to flow less smoothly through the air, so if given the choice tail feathers are picked. The Mongols characteristically pay close attention to minutest of details. The placement of the fletchings in relation to their size, and what part of the bird they were taken from, is of great importance for correct rotation and good balance in the air. Consequently these factors are painstakingly considered when making arrows after the Old Mongol standard.

The arrowheads, or points, could be everything from wide metal blades used for big game (or in war) to bone and wooden points, which are used for hunting birds and small animals. The high impact of this bow ensures that a bony point will be lethal when hitting the body of a smaller animal or a bird. In addition to these kinds of arrows, whistling arrows are useful during hunting, because the effect on animals of an arrow whistling away high above the ground is often to make it stop, curious to see what is in the air. This gives the hunter time to launch a second arrow, this time with a game head to kill the animal. How are these whistling arrows made? They are made by inserting an arrowhead of bone in which air channels have been created. When shot, such arrowheads make a very audible sound through the air.

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

Next Tuesday Part VIII of The Mongols

[Spotsy]

LOL! I like you.
How did you fly all the way to the other side of the world?

I'm working on an elaborate plan where I can be put to sleep and flown overseas. That's the only way I'm going to get there.

So, you see, I'm all talk about the helicopters. I probably wouldn't make it 10 feet off of the ground.

I still love my Marines!

[MikefromOhio]

LOL

[MikefromOhio]

dramamine....lots of it :)

I hate flying..it messes me up big time....

[StarCMC]

Good morning, OH SILLY ONE!

[Lady Jag]

His Dog

[beachn4fun]

I live almost across the river from Quantico, so I suspect we get a lot over our house from helo traffice from Quantico to points east and south! Sometimes they sound so low I hear the windows rattle! I always pray they are doing so on purpose! LOL

[StarCMC]

Good morning and I'll see ya later! Gotta scoot for a while!! HUGS!

[Lady Jag]

Not Dramamine. Marezine, no side effects.

[beachn4fun]

LOL.

Good morning Star

[beachn4fun]

Morning LadyJ. I may have to borrow YOUR spell checker today! My fingers do not want to type what my mind is thinking!

[beachn4fun]

You would! ;->

[Spotsy]

I always pray they are doing so on purpose!

You and me both!!

I keep forgetting you are on this end of Maryland and not way up northwest.

[Spotsy]

I need something that knocks me OUT cold. LOL!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

The FR Canteen Post Office
And
www.ProudPatriots.com

Support Our Military
Info and Links To enter, Click on the Post Office Please stop in the
FR Canteen Post Office
And
www.ProudPatriots.com
To learn about different ways
to support the Military

[BIGLOOK]

Good morning, Kathy.

[tomkow6]

Morning, Tonk!

[BIGLOOK]

Good Morning, Beachy.

[Lady Jag]

Santa Claus, like all pilots, gets regular visits from the Federal Aviation Administration, and the FAA examiner arrived last week for the pre-Christmas flight check.

In preparation, Santa had the elves wash the sled and bathe all the reindeer. Santa got his logbook out and made sure all his paperwork was in order. He knew they would examine all his equipment and truly put Santa's flying skills to the test.

The examiner walked slowly around the sled. He checked the reindeer harnesses, the landing gear, and even Rudolph's nose. He painstakingly reviewed Santa's weight and balance calculations for sled's enormous payload.

Finally, they were ready for the check ride. Santa got in and fastened his seat belt and shoulder harness and checked the compass. Then the examiner hopped in carrying, to Santa's surprise, a shotgun. "What's that for!?" asked Santa incredulously. The examiner winked and said, "I'm not supposed to tell you this ahead of time," as he leaned over to whisper in Santa's ear, "but you're gonna lose an engine on takeoff."

[Lady Jag]

J.D., hammer or Nyquil?

[GummyIII]

I drove in snow last year to my folks....I can do it again!! Student count back up...we are having "fun" day today with treats for the students plus awards for competitions. So, of course, they come for food and fun! HA!

To be fair, I found out that a lot of busses didn't start yesterday, so some missed for a valid reason.