>>20722145Some contemporary people still used them a century ago
Pic are the Chimila of Colombia (they made them of wood)
"While shooting, the Indian holds the bow with the left hand and places the lower end of the arrow on the string; then, by placing a corner of the ring in front of the string, only the right thumb is needed to keep the arrow in position, pushing the end of it towards the board with the thumb. By pulling with this tensioner, the bowstring can be strongly tightened without tiring the hand. At the moment of shooting, a slight movement of the tensioner to the right side is enough to release the string and shoot the arrow"
description of its use in the 16th century
"...they would stand in front in tight squadrons with their very large bows made according to each one's stature, with which, and with a certain device they used to hold in their right hand to draw the string, they would release an innumerable rain of arrows..."
