biffas

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  6. weapons
  7. projectile weapons
  8. [projectile weapons with nonexplosive propellant]
  9. [projectile launchers with nonexplosive propellant]
  10. biffas
Scope note
Projectile launchers consisting of a beam with arms of unequal length balanced on a high scaffold; a heavy weight is attached flexibly to the shorter arm and a sling to the longer arm. The longer arm is pulled down by a windlass, and a stone or other projectile is loaded into the sling. When the windlass is disengaged, the weighted short arm falls downward, whipping the longer arm up and hurling the projectile forward. Distinct from "trebuchets" in that the weight is not fixed.
biffas
Accepted term: 13-May-2024