Slungshot - darned if I know where to post this

[tellner]

It's a weapon, but it's not a knife, sword or gun. This version is a Western weapon, but it's pretty universal, and I know next to zip about WMA. It's not exactly self defense, but it was a self defense tool. There aren't any forms or schools for it, but it was widely used. I'm not selling them (yet ). So it'll go here. If the mods think it belongs somewhere else, there it will go...

I've collected odd weapons and implements of destruction for quite a while and spent mmm-yes, *shuffles feet* "How about them Cubs?" dollars on them over the years. One classic one that I've heard of but never seen an old example of is a slungshot.

The slungshot is a sailor's improvised weapon, always present, easy to make, effective, and completely forbidden on ship or shore. Many jurisdictions have laws against them to this day. The slungshot was defense against thieves and the press-gang, for use in fights or for those special occasions when one wanted to farm the road for pocket money.

The slung shot was made of rope. Scraps of rope are everywhere on a sailing ship. One end was formed into a monkey's fist knot. The knot contained a weight, usually a ball from canister or grape shot. The other end could be made plain but was usually turned into a loop either by braiding the end of the monkey fist to the other end of the line or, more commonly, making an eye-splice.

It took about fifteen minutes to learn to make the monkey's fist and the three-strand eye splice. I used 3/8" sisal rope and jute cord and a 16 oz "cannonball" fishing sinker. Putting the piece together took about ten minutes. Whipping the splice and the loop took another twenty or so.

If anyone knows a good cheap source for 8-12mm hemp rope I'd be much obliged.

 

[Carol]

Very interesting (and perfect forum for this, btw)!

I had heard of a slungshot as well but was never really sure what it was.

Cool stuff Tellner! :asian:

BTW - check a nautical supply (brick and mortar or online) for a supply of rope.

 

[terryl965]

Thanks Tellner I have heard of them but never seen one

 

[KenpoTex]

16 oz.? damn...hit someone with that and it's "coloring books for Christmas" for the rest of their life

The slungshot is definately a vicious weapon. As I understand it, it was not originally intended as a weapon, but rather as an easy way to toss lines from ship to ship, or from ship to shore (hence the name...you "slung" it). Then some enterprising sailor decided that it would make a good noggin thumper.

as far as rope, many people that I know/know of that use these either use para-cord or nylon cord (kinda like small gauge rappelling rope). you might consider that.

 

[tellner]

My friend Terry said "Hit someone with that and he might lose third grade"

The monkey's fist knot started off life as the end of a heaving line. Then, as you said, some enterprising sailor thought up an alternative use.

I just made another one out of nylon rope. The whole hemp thing is to get a feel for how the old archaic materials would handle.

Similar things became part of the criminal culture in the form of Victorian (and earlier) era devices called "life preservers".

 

[KenpoTex]

where do you get the weights?

My friend Terry said "Hit someone with that and he might lose third grade"

On one of the other forums where I have a membership, there are a couple of guys that make custom saps and 'jacks. Their slogan is "Stealing childhood memories" :rofl:

 

[Drac]

16 oz.? damn...hit someone with that and it's "coloring books for Christmas" for the rest of their life

Yep...

 

[tellner]

I got the weight at the neighborhood Fred Meyers, a local supermarket-home and garden-and all the rest chain. They're not hard to find at fishing outfitters and well equipped outdoors stores. A 1-1/2" or 2" ball bearing would do the job just as well and wouldn't be made out of lead.

 

[Brian R. VanCise]

Nice post Tellner! Very interesting thread.

 

[searcher]

I would love to see this in action. I have never heard of this before now. Truly amazing.

 

[still learning]

Hello, Please check with your local Police before carrying this around. There are times a object maynot be call a deadly weapon.

But the intent ( could be classified as a deadly weapon). You can carry a sickle in your person or car..and is doing yard work...but if you use this at a person (than it is a deadly weapon).

You may want to look futher into this area..........Aloha

Ps: My first time seeing anything like this! ..Thank-you for sharing where it came from and how it was use before (sailors)..

 

[tellner]

You're absolutely right, still learning. This was for historical and technical interest. If you carry one around or the modern equivalent - a big tied into a bandana or a lock on the end of a chain dog collar - you are guaranteed to get the undivided attention of Officer Friendly and his associates. And not in a good way. There are states where you could probably carry one around and walk on that particular charge. But you can be sure they'd find something to pin on you like aggravated mopery with intent to loiter.

It's not worth it.

 

[Sukerkin]

I have nothing of substance to add to this thread (no change there then, Sukerkin, chants everyone ) but I arrived here thinking Tellner had mispelled 'slingshot' and reached the end of the thread having learned a bit of naval history that I genuinely do not recall ever having read of.

Cheers :tup:.

 

[tellner]

I've made a couple more since then and am working on a rawhide version.

Thoughts:

1. Sisal sucks
2. Hemp rope is great but tends to unravel when you're working with it
3. I'd better make a couple with wooden cores for training. The learning curve is steep and painful
4. A six or ten foot heaving line behaves much differently than a 2 foot slungshot
5. You can make a lot of really cool things out of rope
6. The expensive pine tar isn't that much better than the stuff they use for horses' hooves

Does anyone know a good synthetic substitute for whalebone?

 

[Bill Bednarick]

Does anyone know a good synthetic substitute for whalebone?

Todd,
Try nylatron rods or fiberglass rods.
I've got a pretty good idea what your up to, hope to see a finished product at the gathering.

I'll have some of this with me.

 

[kuntawguro]

where do you get the weights?


On one of the other forums where I have a membership, there are a couple of guys that make custom saps and 'jacks. Their slogan is "Stealing childhood memories" :rofl:

In the navy we used to use these a lot- the weights usually were 1 inch nuts off of machinery, they were quite heavy and were easy to work with. The machinery repair shop had a bin full of these and they just started to disappear.
He he
funny how that goes

 

[KenpoTex]

Bill, where'd you pick up your saps? A few of them look like the ones made by Todd Foster.

 

[Blindside]

A flail by any other name would smell as sweet.

 

[Bill Bednarick]

kenpotex,

Home grown every single one.

I have one of Todd's but it's not in the picture. He does beautiful work.

These are for sale BTW.

 

[tellner]

I'm making a few choice items for stylish living in an unkind world. Some of them will be at the Gathering. By the bye, Bill, what weight leather do you use for most of yours? I'm using soft elk-hide for a couple and 4-5 oz for others.

Anyhow, I'm cautious about lead. As Massad Ayoob says "The first two symptoms of lead poisoning are forgetfullness and sexual dysfunction. So guys, don't count on chemistry to save you. You won't be able to remember where you put the Viagra." Respirator, dust collection system, gloves and ventilation when I'm working with it, especially drilling, cutting or grinding. Thing is, lead is cheap and dense. Brass isn't quite as good, and just try finding lead-free brass. Bronze is as expensive as imported sin. Pewter isn't bad, but it's expensive and I worry about it breaking.

Should I stick with lead and just use shrink sealing and a layer of Dipit, double stitch all seams and call it good? Or is it worth the expense to switch to another metal like copper or stainless steel or at least bismuth or copper-coated shot where appropriate? Am I being paranoid enough or too paranoid?

Any suggestions welcome.