BOW BOWS CROSSBOW CROSSBOWS SLING SLINGS

BOWS CROSSBOWS SLINGS
 
SHORT BOWS- were the first to be developed, although they were not called
such. This is more of a default term that refers to anything which is not a
long bow. Short bow staves are about 5' feet long on the average. As the
years passed, attempts were made to increase bow ranges. Bows were either
given longer staves or flexibility was increased with no change to the
length. The former resulted in what is now called the long bow
 
LONG BOWS- are similar to the short bows, except that the staff is about as
high as the archer is, usually 6 to 6.5 feet. It has two advantages over the
short bows: better range and hence, it is much more accurate.
 
CROSSBOWS- are a bows mounted crosswise on a wooden or metal shaft, the
latter called a tiller. The bow is usually made of ash or yew. The crossbow
fires a quarrel (also called a bolt). 
 
SLINGS- have existed since the beginning of recorded history. The basic sling
consists of a leather or fabric strap with a pouch for holding the missile.
The weapon is held by both ends of the strap and twirled around the wielder's
head. When top speed is attained, the missile is launched by releasing one of
the strap's ends.
 
See also: Archery, Arrows, Bolts, Bullets.