Swiss arrow
A thrown dart using a lanyard, similar to a spear-thrower.
A Swiss arrow—also called a Yorkshire, Dutch, Scotch, or Gypsy arrow—is a large dart shaped like an arrow and launched with a lanyard. A small notch near the fletching holds the lanyard in place. This weapon works on the same principle as a spear-thrower and closely resembles an amentum.
The shaft is made of wood. One end is slit to hold a pair of card flights, while the other end is pointed. Just below the flights, a shallow notch or groove is cut into or around the shaft. After inserting the flights, the open slit is closed with string or a rubber band to keep them from falling out.
To throw it, the user takes a piece of string longer than the arrow itself. A knot is tied at one end of the string and placed into the notch or groove. The rest of the string is wrapped once around the shaft, aligned over and above the knot, then stretched down toward the pointed end. The string is tightened so the knot stays in the notch, and the extra string is wound around the thrower’s throwing hand. That hand, with the string wound around it, should be near the arrow’s point, allowing the thrower to grip the end easily.
The arrow is held behind the thrower with the string taut. The throwing arm should be as fully extended as possible, so the arrow is thrown like a javelin but held much closer to the tip. Following through lets the string add extra forward force, extending the arm’s reach in a way similar to a sling. A distance of about 50 meters can be reached without much trouble.
- Alternative names
- Yorkshire arrow, Dutch arrow, Scotch arrow, Gypsy arrow
- Typical range
- about 50 m
Lore & Background
The Swiss arrow is a thrown weapon that combines elements of a dart and a spear-thrower. Its shaft is made from wood, with a slit cut at one end to hold a pair of card flights, and the other end is given a point. A notch or shallow groove is cut into or around the shaft just below the flights. After the flights are inserted, the open end of the slit is closed with string or a rubber band to prevent the flights from falling out. To launch the arrow, a length of string longer than the arrow itself is used. A knot tied in one end of the string is placed into the notch, and the rest of the string is passed around the shaft once, aligned over and above the knot, then stretched down to the point end. The string is tightened so the knotted end stays in the notch, and the surplus is wound around the thrower's throwing hand. The throwing hand with the string wound around it is held near the point end of the arrow, allowing the thrower to easily grip the end. The arrow is held behind the thrower with the string taut, and the throwing arm is as fully extended as possible, enabling the arrow to be thrown like a javelin but held much closer to the tip. Following through allows the string to provide additional forward force, extending the length and reach of the thrower's arm in a fashion similar to a sling.
Reader's Guide
The Swiss arrow represents a notable adaptation of the spear-thrower principle to a smaller, more portable projectile. Its design, using a lanyard and a notched shaft, allows the thrower to impart additional force beyond what the arm alone can provide, effectively extending the throwing arm's reach. The technique of holding the arrow near the tip and throwing it like a javelin, combined with the string's follow-through, enables distances of about 50 m to be achieved with relative ease. This weapon's multiple names—Yorkshire arrow, Dutch arrow, Scotch arrow, and Gypsy arrow—suggest it was known across various regions and cultures, though the specific origins and distinctions among these names are not detailed. Its similarity to the amentum and other spear-throwers places it within a broader family of throwing aids that enhance projectile velocity and range. The construction materials—wood, card flights, and string or rubber bands—indicate a simple, readily improvised weapon, likely used for hunting or sport. The Swiss arrow's legacy lies in its demonstration of how a basic mechanical principle can be applied to a hand-thrown projectile, bridging the gap between a simple dart and more complex throwing devices like the atlatl or woomera.
Did You Know?
- The Swiss arrow is also known as a Yorkshire arrow, Dutch arrow, Scotch arrow, or Gypsy arrow.
- It uses the same throwing principle as a spear-thrower.
- A distance of about 50 m can easily be achieved with a Swiss arrow.
- The arrow shaft has a notch or shallow groove cut just below the flights to hold the lanyard's knot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Swiss arrow?
A Swiss arrow is a large, arrow-shaped dart that is launched using a lanyard rather than a bow. It operates on the same basic principle as a spear-thrower or amentum, with the thrower's wrist snap adding extra velocity to the projectile.
What other names is a Swiss arrow known by?
Depending on the region or tradition, the same dart is also called a Yorkshire arrow, Dutch arrow, Scotch arrow, or Gypsy arrow. All of these names refer to the identical lanyard-thrown wooden dart.
How is a Swiss arrow constructed?
The shaft is carved from wood with one end pointed and the other slit to accept a pair of card flights. A shallow notch near the fletching secures the lanyard, and the open slit is cinched shut with string or a rubber band so the flights stay in place.
How do you throw a Swiss arrow?
The thrower grips the dart and swings it in a circular motion using the lanyard, then releases it at the peak of the arc. This wrist-flick technique mirrors the mechanics of an amentum, multiplying the speed of the dart well beyond a simple hand throw.
What is the typical range of a Swiss arrow?
When properly thrown, a Swiss arrow can carry roughly 50 metres. Its relatively heavy wooden shaft and the added momentum from the lanyard snap are what give it that distance compared to a standard hand-thrown dart.
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