[Joe 6-pack]

As I recall, the Mongols pioneered a laminated bow, the outer surface of which was sinew, and the inner layer horn. When the bow was drawn, the sinew would stretch and the horn would compress. Upon release, both materials would snap back to their original shapes, thus enhancing the acceleration of the arrow.

Pretty clever stuff if you think about it.

[mylife]

[volunbeer]

Every bit as clever as John Browning and I mean that as the highest compliment.

[mylife]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongol_bow

[Sherman Logan]

As I recall, the Mongols pioneered a laminated bow

Much older than that. The composite bow goes back to at least 2000 BC and was probably invented either by the Asian ancestors of the Mongols on the eastern steppe or the Indo-European nomads on the western steppe.

Whoever came up with it first, it was so amazingly effective it quickly spread over the whole steppe and to those people with whom they were in contact.

The disciplined mounted archer using a composite bow was the most effective weapon system in the world, properly used, for thousands of years. Only eclipsed by volley-fire muskets, perhaps around 1500.

And even then the musketeers couldn't make the mounted archers fight when they didn't want to, because they couldn't catch them.

[PeterPrinciple]

As I recall, the Mongols pioneered a laminated bow, the outer surface of which was sinew, and the inner layer horn. When the bow was drawn, the sinew would stretch and the horn would compress. Upon release, both materials would snap back to their original shapes, thus enhancing the acceleration of the arrow.

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I have a Mongol bow like that. And they are still made exactly like that.

Here's the story. I have always had an interest in archery and while I was there I learned the former local communist leader made bows so I arranged to meet him. After several customary servings of vodka, I began to think I needed one. So $200 later I am packing it for the trip home.

I still have it, know of anyone looking for one?