Timor slingshot?

[Tim Simmons]

I think these are heddle pulley part of a weavers loom. a sling is a different thing?

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I think these are heddle pulley part of a weavers loom. a sling is a different thing?

Hmm, guess it is possible. I am open to other possibilities, but don't the heddle pulleys have a hole in them? This one has no hole.

[nKante]

OK. I have seen other examples of traditional african sling shots, straight dowel, no hole for pulley axle. They were all unstrung. What is the method of projection? Elastic bands or bendable fork?

[katana]

Originally Posted by nKante

Elastic bands or bendable fork?

I can find no early references to the construction of the catapult bands. Bendable forks are unlikely as they are too short to generate sufficent power to propel a stone. Sinew, although slightly elastic, would not 'accellerate' fast enough (after being pulled) to give any momentum to the missile either.
Rubber is almost certainly the only possible material that could be used.
Although primative societies used the sap from 'rubber' producing trees/plants, it was not the rubber we know today. It's properties were badly affected by heat and moisture and although 'stretchy' was weak, so would not have been suitable for catapult 'bands'. This early form of rubber tended to be used to waterproof clothing etc.
In 1839, C.Goodyear dropped (accidentally) a mixture of rubber, white lead and sulphur upon a hot stove. When it was removed, the material was no longer affected by temperature. Despite stretching, it always returned to its original shape. This was known as vulcanisation, this is probably the earliest date that catapult 'bands' were actually possible. And would only be available to 'industrialised' societies.

The catapult 'bands' requires a material which will stretch and when released....will return to its original dimensions ......as QUICKLY as possible. This generates the accelleration required to give a missile the necessary momentum. Modern catapults use silicon rubber, which is superior to the 'classic' rubber previously used. The amount of effort to pull back the sling (and bands) is minimal......but the power generated by the 'release' is far greater.... and can easily propel a ball bearing through a car door......
I know ...because I have one .......and have tested it .... safely.....

[Tim Simmons]

I have been puzzled by the amount of these things from Africa on ebay called catapults. Why there are so many of them but not one mention in all the books I have. I have also puzzled over where the knicker elastic came from. They could be other tools than a heddle pulley. Perhaps a roach of some kind? Or winding tool for basket making if not cloth weaving.

[katana]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I have been puzzled by the amount of these things from Africa on ebay called catapults.

Me too, so many 'Baule' catapults and not one with the bands and pouch fitted. It has puzzled me for some time.
A catapult is a good hunting tool for small game.....and yet these seem to be so well carved/ornate for such 'rudementary' use. Another advantage was that you could use stones etc. as ammunion, freely and easily available. Many primative tribes had crossbows which could easily be modified to fire stones etc at great force and accuracy.

Are these 'catapults' another item that has been judged with 'western' eyes and their true function is totally different

[Tim Simmons]

I was always under the impression a "roach" among many other things was a tool for straightening arrow shafts and the like. Just thought I should mention that.

[katana]

Found these small images....they are described as African Loom Bobbins..