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Oriental Bows
naturally curved horn on its inner face, and a thin core of wood between
the horn and sinew.
Though the range of the Turkish bow- whether with a flighting or with
a war arrow - far exceeds that of the other bows depicted, yet the Persian
and Indian weapons are capable of shooting to a long distance, certainly
much farther than any European longbow.
The great Chinese or Tartar bow requires a very long arrow, which from
its length is, of necessity, a heavy one with a thick shaft It cannot be
propelled, as a result, farther than from 250 to 260 yards. One distinctive
feature of Chinese, Tartar, Persian or Indian bows is the formation of
their bow-strings. These are invariably from 1/4 to 5/16 in. in thickness,
and are always closely wrapped round, from end to end, with soft cord or
coloured silk of about the substance of worsted.
The Turkish bow-string is 1/8 in. thick, and is merely served
round with fine silk for 3 in. at its centre of length, with three or four
shorter lashings at intermediate points.
The Lengths of the Arrows Formally Used in Warfare with the Bows
Given In Figs. 13 and 14.
| Chinese or Tartar bow |
3 ft. |
| Persian |
2 ft. 8 in |
| Indian |
2 ft. 6 in |
| Turkish1 |
2 ft. 4 1/2 in |
1 The long Turkish war arrow was drawn to the head as in
an ordinary bow. The grooved horn was only used with the short and light
flight arrow. |
