Mongol bow

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Image of a Mongol bow[1]
Mechanics of a Mongol bow[2]
Mongol bows at an archery competition during Naadam[3]
Mongol archer in traditional clothing drawing a Mongol bow[4]

The Mongol bow is a special recurve bow used by the Mongols and renowned for their power, accuracy and range. They are still used in Siberia and were common in the early 20th century.

Contents

[edit] Construction

This composite bow is constructed from animal tendons, wood and silk bound together with an adhesive.[5]

Water buffalo horn and sinew, birch wood and birch bark, and bamboo were used in its construction, Less traditionally, ibex horn and leather were used with ash or yew wood. Decorations were engraved or with falcon or eagle feathers.

[edit] Comparison

The principal difference between the Mongol bow and the Hungarian bow is the presence of a "string run" -- an attachment of horn or wood used to hold the string a little further apart from the bow's limbs. This attachment aids the archer by either creating a mechanical advantage at the end of the draw or giving an extra "snap" and acceleration to the string after the release.

[edit] Frame

The backbone of the bow is a wooden frame, typically birch because it was resilient and easily available. The total length of the frame was typically 150-160 cm, unstrung. It appears as a semi-circle, but when strung its limbs are bent inward.

After the point of string attachment, the ends are bent away from the archer thereby forming a double curve. This double curve delivers extra acceleration and velocity to arrows. Between these bends the frame is covered with elongated and flattened pieces of horn or bone to add power to the "snap" of the frame. These hard layers cover the whole area called "the belly" from grip to the limbs.

The exact arrangement of bone, wood and sinew elements varied from region to region. The bone elements are a minor part of the construction and have been ornament or talismans.

[edit] Glue and sinew

A layer of specially prepared birch bark and sinew (typically taken from deer, moose or other game animals) was applied to protect the bow (primarily against moisture). Domestic animal tendons were also, but materiakls taken from wild animals like deer, moose and mountain sheep were considered strongest and best.

The traditional substance used for the curing of both leather and bows was fish glue. Fish glue, used for moisture protection, was readily extracted from the bladders of freshwater fish, by soaking in hot water to remove the protein, and then boiling the resultant soup for an extended time.

The usual procedure employed in the production of a traditional Mongolian bow is as follows:

  1. The wooden frame is cured,
  2. The horns and/or bone to be used are boiled to soften them then attached to the frame.
  3. The tendons have to be dried, then crushed to form a mass of loose fibers.
  4. The fibers are mixed with fish glue to form a solid but not rigid layer which is then applied carefully. The thickness and amount of sinew, applied is done in a two-stage process with some days in between. Too thin a layer makes the bow weaker, and too thick makes it stiff. The layer of sinew could be as thick as a human finger before drying. Sinew has elasticity and used in the Mongolian composite bow, and affects it by contracting at the time that plates of horn plates at the front snap back into shape, therby adding further acceleration to the shot.
  5. All parts are secured in place with fish glue has been applied to secure all the parts. The horns and wooden sections, that are glued together are first grafted with a toothed tool to improve it's strength.
  6. The final step is the application of protective birch bark layers, which are first boiled until soft, to ensuring a proper fit before being glued to the finished bow.
  7. The bow is then wrapped tightly in ropes and placed to dry and harden in room temperature for one year or more for strong and durability.

The bow is usually stored in a leather case for protection when not in use.

[edit] String

The bowstrings are made from animal hide. First fat is removed the hide is stretched out and twisted. As a result of this it will not stretch any further, but remain taut. While the skin of many fur-bearing animals could be used, horse skin is the preferred choice for it's suppleness in the low winter temperatures of Central Asia. Intestines of animals as string material could also be used 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, have also been used.

To string the bow, the archer could sit, and using both feet to press against the bow bend the limbs to attach the string. Another technique while standing upright is to keep the 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.

[edit] 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 eagles are rare. 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 paid 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. The whistling arrows 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.

[edit] Range

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Asian bows, such as the Mongol bow and especially the Turkish bow had ranges much longer than any other hand weapon until the arrival of modern breach-loading firearms in the early 20th Century. Estimates for the Mongol bow give it a draw force greater than the English longbow (75 pounds and range of 250 yards) of about 100 to 160 pounds and a range of 320 to 350 yards or more.[6]. A more contemporary review by Hildinger (1997, pg 27-31)[citation needed] suggests that it was only accurate at up to 80 yards when fired from horseback, but "shooting in arcade" (at 45 degrees) allowed for much greater ranges.

[edit] Traditional usage by Mongols

The Mongolian tradition of archery is attested by an inscription on a stone stele that was found near Nerchinsk in Siberia: "While Chinggis Khan was holding an assembly of Mongolian dignitaries, after his conquest of Sartaul (East Turkestan), Esungge (the son of Chinggis Khan's brother) shot a target at 335 alds (536 m)."

Another example is given in the historic novel "Khökh Sudar" written by Injinashi, the Mongolian philosopher, historian and writer: he describes the competition amongst all Mongolian civil military men in about 1194 -1195. Dzulgetii, a 16-year-old man from Dzurgen Aimag (province), and 4 other archers each hit the target three times from a distance of 500 bows (1 bow = at least 1 meter).

Until today, archery with traditional composite bows is part of the annual festival of the three virile sports (Wrestling, Horseriding, Archery), called "Naadam".

[edit] Military usage

The bows were routinely employed by Mongol horse archers. They would typically carry two, one for long-range and the other for closer targets. These were complemented by the archer carrying two quivers carrying different types of arrows - armor piercing heavy temper-steel arrowheads, incendiary arrows, whistling arrows for signaling as well as ordinary arrows with adjusted arrowheads and shaft lengths for more typical ranges.

[edit] Shooting technique

The technique used for shooting is known as the "Mongolian release." The Mongols, if right-handed, keep their bow in the left hand, pushing it forward as the right arm pulled the string all the way back to behind the ear. With the left arm fully extended, they prepare to release. However, because of the power and draw force required of the bow, a special technique to hold the string is used. During the drawing of the bow and before the arrow is released the string is held by the thumb, since this is the strongest finger and the thumb is supported by the index finger curling around atop the outermost joint, at the base of the nail. The other fingers are also curl, forming a fist. The Mongols used a special ring to 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 are 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.

[edit] Tactics

See also: Medieval warfare

Similar to Parthian and Turkish methods of maintaing a distance and firing and maneuvring, this included the ability of the archers to shoot at gallop and while riding backwards.[7][8] The generally approached in a loose crescent formation typically used in the steppes and plains with each flank attempting to encircle the enemy if encirclement was not possible they would employ the mangudai or feigned retreat ruse.[7][8] The army was divided into units called toumens and was trailed by spare horses and each soldier had three to even four spare mounts.[7] The Mongol mounts were more pony like which were tougher and able to survive by grazing in the wild.[7] The also employed flaming arrows alongside colored lanterns for communication[8] as well using whistling arrows to create terror in the enemy ranks.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ http://www.horsebows.com
  2. ^ http://www.horsebows.com
  3. ^ http://www.csen.org
  4. ^ http://www.markland.org
  5. ^ John C Halpin, Halpin C Halpin, Primer on Composite Materials Analysis, CRC Press, Apr 15, 1992, ISBN 0-877-62754-1
  6. ^ J. Chambers, The Devil's Horsemen: The Mongolian Invasion of Europe,(New York: Atheneum), 1979, pg. 57
  7. ^ a b c d E Hildinger,Story of Mongols, Branden Books, Mar 1, 1996, ISBN 0-828-32017-9 pg. 26
  8. ^ a b c Edwards, J. A. Sean/Swarming on the Battlefield: Past, Present, and Future, Rand Corporation, Mar 25, 2000, ISBN 0-833-02779-4 pg.29

[edit] External links

[edit] See also

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