Information needed Peru bolas weapon

Roland_M · 3rd May 2016, 03:42 PM

I think this is a weapon of war, a Bola Perdida ("lost bullet"), a slingshot with a fixed sling. Used for example by the Tehuelche of Patagonia.

Just a short look in the german version of Wikipedia.

Roland

Tim Simmons · 3rd May 2016, 06:41 PM

Thanks Roland still leaves me in the dark. I do not think that this is a flight weapon. I think it is more of a mace though yes you could let go of it. I am really keen to get my hands on it 27 inches long. It is going to take a few weeks.

kronckew · 3rd May 2016, 08:12 PM

at 27 in. i'd not want to be flailing it around trying to hit someone else as the someone it is likely to hit is yourself. maybe if it had been on the end of a pole, but it doesn't look like that. bit like the european 'morning star' spiked ball on a chain normally attached to a handle long eough to keep the business end away from the weilder. short handled ones do exists - probably cut down for convenient display & never thereafter used in battle. i think we discussed that some time past...

slinging it about and throwing it makes more sense, especially if you had more. probably better for small game hunting where the target isn't fighting back throwing more stuff at you.

Robert · 3rd May 2016, 08:24 PM

I believe that you are both correct in your views on this piece and that it could have possibly been meant to be used as both a mace and as a sling. The grip area at the end of the cord is not permanently formed into looped so it could be easily wrapped around the hand when being swung as a mace or after being swung around in a circular motion could be let slip to be thrown in the same manner as a bolo. JMHO

Tim Simmons · 3rd May 2016, 09:00 PM

Like a lot of unusual weapons use could depend on skill, like learning from the age of a small child?

Tim Simmons · 4th May 2016, 07:35 AM

A ball and chain weapon, flail. Made without metal and used in the manner of the many forms of ball and chain.

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3rd May 2016, 03:42 PM	#1
Roland_M Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Germany Posts: 525	I think this is a weapon of war, a Bola Perdida ("lost bullet"), a slingshot with a fixed sling. Used for example by the Tehuelche of Patagonia. Just a short look in the german version of Wikipedia. Roland

3rd May 2016, 06:41 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Thanks Roland still leaves me in the dark. I do not think that this is a flight weapon. I think it is more of a mace though yes you could let go of it. I am really keen to get my hands on it 27 inches long. It is going to take a few weeks.

3rd May 2016, 08:12 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,259	at 27 in. i'd not want to be flailing it around trying to hit someone else as the someone it is likely to hit is yourself. maybe if it had been on the end of a pole, but it doesn't look like that. bit like the european 'morning star' spiked ball on a chain normally attached to a handle long eough to keep the business end away from the weilder. short handled ones do exists - probably cut down for convenient display & never thereafter used in battle. i think we discussed that some time past... slinging it about and throwing it makes more sense, especially if you had more. probably better for small game hunting where the target isn't fighting back throwing more stuff at you.

3rd May 2016, 08:24 PM	#4
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	I believe that you are both correct in your views on this piece and that it could have possibly been meant to be used as both a mace and as a sling. The grip area at the end of the cord is not permanently formed into looped so it could be easily wrapped around the hand when being swung as a mace or after being swung around in a circular motion could be let slip to be thrown in the same manner as a bolo. JMHO

3rd May 2016, 09:00 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Like a lot of unusual weapons use could depend on skill, like learning from the age of a small child?

4th May 2016, 07:35 AM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	A ball and chain weapon, flail. Made without metal and used in the manner of the many forms of ball and chain.