Turkish flight archery thumring?

Kviljo · Post by **Kviljo** » Sat Mar 29, 2014 2:34 pm

It is known that the Turkish archers had a special thumb ring for flight archery, but I have had some trouble finding illustrations or pictures of what it looks like.

As far as I have understood, it was a ring which did not require the thumb to bend as much as a regular ring. A very steep angle/edge which the string could fall off from should give a cleaner loose. Perhaps not unlike how the chinese rings work. I have been wondering if this turkish ring was also one that was shot without any support from the index finger?

Amarutu · Post by **Amarutu** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 4:29 pm

I remember having read about steep lips and a different curving below the lip. I could look up the source(s) if you like.

Kviljo · Post by **Kviljo** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 6:27 pm

Hmm, interesting

Don't think I have come across anything mentioning a different curve under the lip. If you remember where it could be, I'd be greatful for the reference.

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 6:33 am

The rings I have seen that would match your requirement have the lip curved in only one plane while ordinary rings curve in two planes at right angles to each other. A close reading of Kani suggests that neither ring was used like a Chinese (Qing) ring. The rings with the single curvature are very easy to balance the string on the broad surface of the lip of the ring rather than close to the base. By their shape, they require the wrist turned slightly clockwise from above as the draw progresses. This means that at the end of the draw the broad surface of the ring is perpendicular to the direction the arrow is aligned with. Also the base of the index finger is moved away from the nock so that the arrow has no sideways pressure at the release.

Because of the angle of the lip and the cross section of the lip at its base, the ring is pushed by the string deep into the flexure of the thumb in its distal joint.

The ring curved in two planes uses a different mechanism to keep the string in place. The topology of the surface of the ring usually has a sweet spot at a certain angle of the thumb to the string. Usually the angle of the thumb segments to each other is more than the full right angle that the single plane ring requires. By this I mean the thumb is less bent and the wrist is turned out somewhat to get the string in the right place. In these rings the string sits very close to the base of the lip, but does not push against the thumb.

Amarutu · Post by **Amarutu** » Thu Apr 03, 2014 4:15 pm

The reference I found was the art of shooting a short reflexed bow by Adam Swoboda on page 51.

Good luck with your project!

Misiak · Post by **Misiak** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 1:32 pm

Do you have any picture of a ring curved in two planes? Can it be described as one of those in the picture below?

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Wed Aug 06, 2014 2:34 am

The diagrams, while good, are a little stylised. I have some pictures somewhere. Most of the rings with two planes of curvature are hard stone rings though there are a few bronze rings and many horn, ivory and bone rings of this design.

I will take some fresh pictures and post them here.

J. Bergkvist · Post by **J. Bergkvist** » Wed Sep 17, 2014 10:08 am

I make rings like the second in the illustration. I also make those with no curve on the lip at all.
I haven't tried making curved lip rings like ill. One and three. What would the diffrences be?

Misiak · Post by **Misiak** » Wed Sep 17, 2014 10:21 am

I have made and tested all types of rings that I have posted. The best release I have achieved with the ring shaped as the top one. The lock has to be done precisely because of the curved surface but it has the benefit of better feeling the string and shot execution is smoother in my opinion. I recommend to use second ring shape for beginners as there is a flat surface and the string does not slip from the edge so easily.