Thumb rings at close range
In a new book, God's Warriors, by Helen Nicholson and David Nicolle, it is stated on page 132 that 2 or more strings were carried by Eastern archers, "....2 thumb rings for each string-more useful at long range as they tended to reduce accuracy at close range."
Is this an accurate statement of the effect of thumb rings?[/u]
Is this an accurate statement of the effect of thumb rings?[/u]
According to some illustrations, there were cases of a spare string attached to be bow. That was presumably to replace a broken string.
Two thumb rings were sometimes suggested because after a lot of shooting your thumb swells. So a ring that fits well enough when you start shooting may be too tight after twenty shots.
I do not understand the comment about accuracy at short range. Even if it were true, I don't understand why two rings would help. I suspect that the argument is garbled.
Two thumb rings were sometimes suggested because after a lot of shooting your thumb swells. So a ring that fits well enough when you start shooting may be too tight after twenty shots.
I do not understand the comment about accuracy at short range. Even if it were true, I don't understand why two rings would help. I suspect that the argument is garbled.
I think that Stephen is right.
I know some of the sources for the comments and I think there is misunderstanding at both ends.
From experience I can say that there is no disadvantage in using thumb rings shooting at short distances. For historical support, in Saracen Archery, Taybugha describes qighaj shooting where the target is on the ground as you gallop past. You cannot get much closer than that.
I know some of the sources for the comments and I think there is misunderstanding at both ends.
From experience I can say that there is no disadvantage in using thumb rings shooting at short distances. For historical support, in Saracen Archery, Taybugha describes qighaj shooting where the target is on the ground as you gallop past. You cannot get much closer than that.
I agree with both Bede and Stephen. Here in Korea, most archers will have two or more rings, with different sized thumb holes, for when the thumb size changes.
Thanks for the responses. I had read SARACEN ARCHERY, and don't recall anything about any suggestion that thumb rings hurt close range accuracy.
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I do not understand the comment about accuracy at short range. Even if it were true, I don't understand why two rings would help. I suspect that the argument is garbled
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I understood the passage to mean that long-range accuracy would be helped by use of a thumb ring; short-jrange accuracy impaired by such use.
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I do not understand the comment about accuracy at short range. Even if it were true, I don't understand why two rings would help. I suspect that the argument is garbled
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I understood the passage to mean that long-range accuracy would be helped by use of a thumb ring; short-jrange accuracy impaired by such use.
In the book Turk okculugu by Unsal Yucel the authors mentiones some clues about the different types of thumbrings like "thumbrings for flight and target shooting". Yucal also says he could not find any detail about their differenced or whether they actually differed.
From experience, thumbrings are not great for horseback shooting. They get out of position and they just turn into one more thing you have to filldle with when you need to be concentrating on nocking and shooting.
But I can see how for flight shootiong, where a smooth, fast release gives you the extra few feet of distance, a good thumbring would be important. I can image quite a long ring which covers as much of the thumb pad as possible to minimize the friction between the string and the skin slowing the release down.
But I can see how for flight shootiong, where a smooth, fast release gives you the extra few feet of distance, a good thumbring would be important. I can image quite a long ring which covers as much of the thumb pad as possible to minimize the friction between the string and the skin slowing the release down.
Stephen,
I am not sure if I agree with you about the utility of thumb rings on horseback or the general advantages of using them. I haven't been on horseback for years so I cannot comment directly except from memory. However, my experience was that it is easier to nock and draw with a thumb ring when you are running or riding. The arrow can be more easily held against the bow and the bow can be held at any angle for the shot.
A properly fitting thumb ring doesn't move around much. Recently I have been experimenting with a loosely fitting metal ring and even it is easy to keep in position. With a fully flexed thumb, shorter lipped rings are more useful, but not everyone's thumb is the same length and shape so for some people less flexure and a longer ring are more comfortable.
Modern archers put on at take off their rings whenever they shoot, but warriors in the old days probably wore them whenever there was a risk of combat.
I think that the cylindrical shape of the Manchu ring might have been a response to the problem of lipped ring location. However, the solution might have been worse than the problem.
I am not sure if I agree with you about the utility of thumb rings on horseback or the general advantages of using them. I haven't been on horseback for years so I cannot comment directly except from memory. However, my experience was that it is easier to nock and draw with a thumb ring when you are running or riding. The arrow can be more easily held against the bow and the bow can be held at any angle for the shot.
A properly fitting thumb ring doesn't move around much. Recently I have been experimenting with a loosely fitting metal ring and even it is easy to keep in position. With a fully flexed thumb, shorter lipped rings are more useful, but not everyone's thumb is the same length and shape so for some people less flexure and a longer ring are more comfortable.
Modern archers put on at take off their rings whenever they shoot, but warriors in the old days probably wore them whenever there was a risk of combat.
I think that the cylindrical shape of the Manchu ring might have been a response to the problem of lipped ring location. However, the solution might have been worse than the problem.
First, regarding accuracy with thumb rings at close range--I shoot both long and close distances with a thumb ring, and I find it much more accurate than a finger draw at both distances. I think one reason is you only have one surface the string has to leave, rather than three. Also, the different aiming method might have something to do with it.
As for thumb rings and horseback shooting, I believe many Korean horse archers shot with a thumb draw, but without a ring. My source was anecdotal, but I'll check further on it sometime.
T
As for thumb rings and horseback shooting, I believe many Korean horse archers shot with a thumb draw, but without a ring. My source was anecdotal, but I'll check further on it sometime.
T