Slingshot
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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A slingshot (also sometimes called a shanghai, and 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 20th century because the low projectile velocity was generally considered to be safe. However, it is possible to construct a slingshot with sufficient power to cause true bodily harm.
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[edit] History
The classic form of slingshot 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.[citation needed]
[edit] 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 famous MILBRO catapult of the 1950s. 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[citation needed] 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.
[edit] 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 9 mm (3/8") to 12 mm (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, pigeon, 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 moulds.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Military Use
Slingshots have been used as a military weapon, primarily by guerrilla forces due to the primitive resources and ease used to construct one. Such guerrilla groups included the Irish Republican Army; prior to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Saddam Hussein released a propaganda video demonstrating slingshots as a possible weapon for insurgents to use against occupation forces.[1]
[edit] In popular culture
- Slingshots have often been portrayed as the weapon of choice of mischievous youths. Iconic examples of this are Dennis the Menace, Bart Simpson, Daniel Fiorito, Oor Wullie and Opie Taylor from the The Andy Griffith Show.
- Former child actress Shirley Temple revealed in an interview that she was a slingshot user, with Eleanor Roosevelt as one of her "victims".
- Woody Woodpecker demonstrates his prowess with the weapon in Slingshot 6 7/8[1]
- In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Link uses a slingshot as his primary ranged weapon before using a bow.
- In EarthBound the slingshot is an equipable weapon for every party member except Poo.
- In Anthony Horowitz's series The Power of Five, a slingshot is Pedro's primary weapon.
- 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.
- In Newsies most of the Brooklyn Newsies used slingshots as their primary weapons, with marbles as ammo.
- A slingshot figures prominently in the book and Film The Kite Runner
- One of the few depictions of slingshots as a serious military weapon was featured in a segment of Deadliest Warrior as IRA experts demonstrated its tactical effectiveness.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- "How to make a slingshot" - simple forked-stick style.
