Rufus Hussey

Rufus Hussey was raised south of Seagrove, NC on a two-horse farm with ten brothers and sisters. Having lost his father at an early age, and with the only gun being carried by the oldest brother, Rufus and the other boys grew-up shooting beanshooters. He was making his own by the age of ten and soon developed a keen-eye for hitting his target.

In 1972 Rufus decided to start making beanshooters to sell or give away in order to promote what he felt was becoming a lost art. He gave each its own serial number which he recorded on the

butt-end of the handle. Rufus passed away in Feb. of 1994. The last beanshooter he had completed carried the number 15,864. Now that’s a lot of walking the woods searching for Dogwood forks.

In his later years Rufus became quite famous shooting his beanshooter to the amazement of country and city-folk alike. He appeared on many TV shows where he demonstrated his skill. One TV host asked… “Rufus, I understand you can knock a quarter out of the air with that thing! Is that right?” Rufus responded… “I can hit a penny…. but when it gets that cheap, it’s time to quit!”

Rufus hit the big-time when he was invited to appear on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. After a bit of small-talk, Johnny asked, ” I understand you’re going to demonstrate your skill… is that right?” Rufus replied, “Sure! I’d rather shoot the beanshooter than shoot the bull.” Soon Rufus was shooting a corncob from Johnny’s hand.

A few months later brought a call from Charles Kuralt. He wanted to come down to the farm and interview Rufus for one of his On The Road segments. Rufus put on a real show shooting targets of all types. The segment ended with him breaking a corncob from Charle’s hand.

I’ll finish with this poem inspired by Rufus Hussey… The Beanshooter Man.

THE BEANSHOOTER MAN

He had big, strong hands that… were acquainted with work,

With the help of two horses… they raised a live’n from dirt.

Being one of eleven… back when pleasures were few,

He soon learn’d live’n meant… we’ll simply make do.

Now he had lots of wit… as did all of them boys,

They created their fun… and made all their own toys.

When it came time to see… what nature would yield,

They took their beanshooters… and walked thru the field.

Find a fat-sit’n rabbit… or a slow-run’n quail,

Then with sure, steady aim… they’d let the rock sail.

Yes, many was the time… if the table got graced,

Required a quick, keen eye… and a stone well-placed.

Those days are long gone… when things were hand-made,

Women’s sack dresses and… fresh-squeezed lemonade.

But Rufus remembered… and thought others should,

How those seemed the best times… for true brotherhood.

His plan was real simple… like when he was a boy,

Start make’n the beanshooters… that brought him such joy.

First shoot’n at age six… and a-make’n ‘em by ten,

His kin knew he was good… with a beanshooter then.

And if you ever paused… with corncob in ya hand,

You’d soon have it shot… by “The Beanshooter Man”.

Now he gained lots of fame… demonstrate’n his skill,

But smiles on folk’s faces… was his biggest thrill.

I once heard him say… and this I don’t doubt,

“When it comes to beanshooters… just don’t be without.

They’re more than for fun… though, a good toy they make,

You may find a time… you need to dispatch a snake.”

So make sure you carry… in back pocket or sock,

Ya trusty beanshooter… and at least one good rock.

Slingshots accessories ehs slingshots 

JORGE SPRAVE

Jörg Sprave was born 1965 in Dortmund/Germany, where he lived for the first 18 years of his life. He then studied economy at the university of Paderborn and achieved a master’s degree in business administration (1989). After a long career in the field of electronic and entertainment product development and distribution, he is currently the CEO of a mid size consumer electronics company located in Kronach/Germany. 

He likes weapons of all kinds, including firearms and knifes, but his special love is currently dedicated towards slingshots. He runs “The Slingshot Channel” on YouTube (www.youtube.com/JoergSprave). His blog can be found atwww.slingshotchannel.blogspot.com.

Jörg Sprave is also a renowned author with several short stories published online, but also two books in print (both in the German language). He lives with his family in Burgkunstadt/Germany.

Back to Basics With Slingshots

David killed Goliath with just a single sling shot so slingshots should never be taken for granted. It is a very simple weapon yet it can also be very lethal. If a giant was killed by a single sling shot then this simple weapon should not be taken for granted. It is not a toy that should be left lying around for kids to play with. Bear in mind that slingshots are lethal.

History of Slingshots

Slingshots were used by people for a long time. It was used as hunting weapon. The very first slingshots were very simple and used a thong and a pouch. From the simple slingshots a more accurate models were made. The innovated slingshots use a y-shaped frame with two elastic strips attached to it. At the end of the elastic strips is a pouch that is usually made of leather.

The use of elastic strips started after rubber was invented. Around 1818 slingshots that use iron frames became popular. These slingshots are used for hunting small games. The surge in the use of hunting slingshots however gained popularity after World War II. This was after a do it yourself slingshot was introduced using dogwood frame that could take out a small game using an 8 mm diameter buckshot.

Later on hunting slingshots that have arrowhead rest were made. These hunting slingshots could take on bigger games. Then more innovations were introduced like the use of rubber tubing and the slingshot body that provides a wrist rest for better accuracy.

Use of slingshots

Slingshots were not just used for hunting. In fact years ago it was used by juvenile delinquents before it was transformed to a nobler use. It was only after later that hunting slingshots became popular. Here are the uses of a slingshot:

Hunting

Hunting slingshots were used to hunt small games like fowl and rabbits. There are hunting slingshots enthusiasts that only hunt using slingshots.

Military Use

The slingshot was also used in military operations but it was mostly used by the guerrillas  The Irish Republican Army used and its use was promoted by Saddam Hussein.

Toy

There are toy slingshots. These are not something that should be given to children as toys but there are toy manufacturers who make plastic slingshots for kids.

It should be remembered that slingshots are lethal so it should be used responsibly.

How to weaponize trash

A while ago, COLORS magazine asked us if we can make weapons out of trash. Sure! A quick walk to the woods, and we came home with a good selection of stuff. This video shows how you can make pepper spray from old chili powder, bolas from cat food cans and batteries, and even a full blown crossbow from a broom handle and old kitchen gloves. All of the weapons are properly tested, of course. As a bonus, two new slingshots are shown, one that shoots grapes (for an attempt to break a guiness book record), and one beauty made from fossilized oak.

What is the best ammo? Sling Shots Projectile 101, Equip 2 Endure

What is the best hunting ammo for a Sling Shot? E2E Training Instructor Madison Parker talks about some different ammo that he casts himself, and also some options for people to purchase. Remember, Madison is using a specialized custom made sling shots with extremely strong bands. Madison also illustrates the effects of different ammo on different material to include, Wood, Plastic, and Steel

Powerful Exotic Slingshots

History of slingshots

Slingshots depend on strong elastic materials, typically vulcanized natural rubber or the equivalent, and thus date back no further than the invention of vulcanized rubber byCharles Goodyear in 1839 (patented in 1844). By 1860, this “new engine” had already established a reputation for juvenile use in vandalism, as well as at least one homicide.

For much of their early history, slingshots were a “do it yourself” item, typically made from a forked branch to form the “Y” shaped handle, with rubber strips sliced from items such as inner tubes or other sources of good vulcanized rubber and firing suitably sized stones.

While early slingshots were most associated with young vandals, they were also capable hunting arms in the hands of a skilled user. Firing metallic projectiles, such as lead musket balls or buckshot, or steel ball bearings, the slingshot was capable of taking game such as quail, pheasant, rabbit, and dove. Placing multiple balls in the pouch produces a shotgun effect, such as firing a dozen BBs at a time for hunting small birds. With the addition of a suitable rest, the slingshot can also be used to fire arrows, allowing the hunting of medium sized game at short ranges.

While commercially made slingshots date back to at least 1918, with the introduction of the Zip-Zip, a cast iron model, it was not until the post World War II years saw a surge in the popularity, and legitimacy, of slingshots. They were still primarily a home-built proposition; a 1946 Popular Science article details a slingshot builder and hunter using home-built slingshots made from forked dogwood sticks to take small game at ranges of up to 30" with No. 0 lead buckshot(.32 in., 8 mm diameter)

The Wham-O company, founded in 1948, was named after their first product, the Wham-O slingshot. It was made of ash wood and used flat rubber bands. The Wham-O was suitable for hunting with a draw weight of up to 45 pounds force (200 newtons), and was available with an arrow rest.

The 1940s also saw the creation of the National Slingshot Association, headquartered in San Marino, California, which organized slingshot clubs and competitions nationwide. Despite the slingshot’s reputation as a tool of juvenile delinquents, the NSA reported that 80% of slingshot sales were to men over 30 years old, many of them professionals. John Milligan, a part-time manufacturer of the aluminium-framed John Milligan Special, a hunting slingshot, reported that about a third of his customers were physicians.

The middle 1950s saw two major innovations in slingshot manufacture, typified by the Wrist-Rocket Company of Columbus, Nebraska, later renamed Trumark. The Wrist-Rocket was made from bent steel rods that formed not only the handle and fork, but also a brace that extended backwards over the wrist, and provided support on the forearm to counter the torque of the bands. The Wrist-Rocket also used rubber tubing rather than flat bands, which was attached to the backwards-facing fork ends by sliding over the tips of the forks, where it was held by friction.

By 2001, the flat band slingshot had disappeared from commercial production in favor of the tubular band. Flat bands are preferred by custom makers and shooters in national competition, however, as they provide more efficiency and accuracy. Saunders Archery, who for years manufactured the original Wrist-Rocket, consulted with national slingshot champion Bill Herriman, to develop a new, high power flat band slingshot, the Wrist-Rocket Pro. Not only was it the first commercial flat bland slingshot on the market in years, but its design was based on competition slingshots, and exhibits a large number of modern slingshot features. Made almost entirely of plastic, it features a wrist lock and an extended fork, allowing good stability and a long pull with heavy bands. Optional features include a bubble-level fiber optic sight, set up for firing with the slingshot canted sideways, and a stabilizing weight to moderate movement of the slingshot under recoil. The Wrist Rocket Pro also folds into thirds to reduce the overall length for carrying and storage, and has provisions for a lock that will lock the slingshot in the folded position, preventing unauthorized use.

What is the best ammo to wholesale dropship with slingshots?

 Sling Shots Projectile 101

1. Defective Ball Bearings
2. Glass Marbles
3. Small rocks (look for small ones about the same size)
4. 38 cal lead rifle balls
5. 000 Buckshot
6. Acorns
7. Air soft bb's
8. Castoff wheel weights
9. Lima Beans
10. Ice (never a problem left in the backyard!)
11. V40 Mini-Grenades j/k

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