Timor slingshot?

[katana]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Well there we are, a catapult.

Yes, but I am not convinced that 'gut' straps would be a useful material for a catapult. Yes, gut is strong.....with a small amount of elasticity....more suited to bow strings (both archery and violin) than a catapult.
The pictures and quote are from a dealer in African art.....which also stated the price structure for these catapults was dependent on carving and age. By mentioning the 'traditional gut straps' seems to me to mean that some of their stock could be centuries old........with an increase in price.

I am not so certain that gut was used, if it was they would be fairly useless as a weapon and you would be better off throwing stones at the 'birds'. I think that ALL the catapults are relatively modern...late 19c onward.....purely and simply due to the fact that rubber would provide the necessary 'propellent'. If anyone has any ideas or if I am wrong please let me know.

Gut, leather thonging, hemp etc have all been used to make 'slings' for millenia but this is a totally different animal to the catapult/slingshot. And perhaps this has caused the 'confusion' with the dealer