u/Entropy-

Bracing a bow in water- Arab Archery 1500~ AD.

This is part one of four video series. This bow is a Simsek Yildiz (meaning star) 12@28” and made from waterproof resin which to my knowledge is a form of poly plastic.

Next will be treading water with this bow, then I will repeat the same experiments (standing, and treading water) with a 43@28” Simsek Sipahi.

I believe the 12@28” will take little effort treading water, but the 43lbs will take some careful skill.

From the Arabic manuscript ‘Arab Archery’ from 1500~ AD:

“The 6th method is called "water bracing." It is so called because of its use by archers who are standing in water which reaches up to their waists or over. It consists of placing the bow diagonally on your back, or between your shoulders, while the string rests on your face, Then hold your right hand on the neck of the upper limb, keeping the index finger and the thumb outstretched to straighten out the eye and push it into the nock. While the lower siyah is held firm by the left hand, you press your right forward and thereby brace the bow.”

If any person has access to recorded accounts of this method being used historically, please would you share them?

I want to express my thanks to the City of Lake Oswego for permitting me to reenact these historical techniques in their competition pool.

This angle was great for IDing what I need to work on. Also happy to shoot outside in shorts for the first time in months

Absolutely do NOT do this if you have not been properly trained! To repeat, do NOT attempt this unless you already have been trained by a qualified user. It is a dangerous and advanced technique.

Below is more information taken from an instagram post of Turkish Archery Master Murat Ozveri.

“Shooting from the inner part of the grip (itch qabzadan atish) was a technique used to shoot shorter, lighter, stiffer arrows with a longer draw, for special purposes like flight shooting. It was also a method to draw a broadhead-tipped arrow a few inches more for better penetration and/or longer range. In Ottoman poetry iç kabzadan atış, as we spell it today, was a common metaphore referring to the sights of the beloved one, which were thought to be like arrows shot by her bow-like eyebrows and

"hurt" the lover. The verses above belong to Sultan Süleyman I who was also a successful poet with the pseudonyme "Muhibbi".”

Again, please do NOT do this. This post is meant as an illustration of a historical archery technique, not an invitation to try.