Grappling hook

[Littleneckhalfshell]

I was trying to find information on the Grappling hooks that were used to bind two ships together when boarding.

What I have found is somewhat confuseing, since apparently a Grappling hook, or Grapnel, can also be a type of Anchor.

A number of times, what showed up as promising on a google search, when I saw a picture, it was clearly bigger than something that could be thrown by a man and was often described as a small boat anchor.

The other problem that comes up in searching, was those Ninja things, but lets not go there.

One thing I did find is that a Grappling hook could be one to four hooks and still be called a grappling hook.

I have a single hook, that I picked up years ago, I assume that it is a line hook or a rigging hook.

But if I want to make a GAOP grappling hook, (I fiddle around with blacksmithing a bit) what would be a common style and what dimensions? Again, what I am looking for, is a grappling hook that one man would throw, either to scale a wall, or use to bind two ships together to facilitate boarding. scaled Pictures would be helpful. Actual archeological artifact pictures would be great, but even a nudge in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

[Capt. Bo of the WTF co.]

I don't have copies myself, but I think "Boarders Away" 1 or 2 has what you're looking for. I saw Nathan Logsdon (historyfanatic) made some of the double hook type awhile back. They look like a double bale hook to me, but bent at different angles. Maybe some one with the books will chime in shortly.

Bo

[Jack Roberts]

If I remember right this was a GAoP grapling hook on ebay. I don't remember the details though.

[michaelsbagley]

I don't have copies myself, but I think "Boarders Away" 1 or 2 has what you're looking for. I saw Nathan Logsdon (historyfanatic) made some of the double hook type awhile back. They look like a double bale hook to me, but bent at different angles. Maybe some one with the books will chime in shortly.

Bo

I only have volume one... And I just took a quick flip through and checked the index, but I couldn't find anything on grapple hooks. There may be information in volume two, or perhaps there is textual information in volume one and it will take some serious reading and hunting through to find.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Maybe there is someone out there that has actually read their copy of the book, or knows if the info is in there or not.

[Dorian Lasseter]

Sorry to say, no mention of grappling hooks/grapnels in Boarders Away I or II, closest thing was some hook-like barbs on a 'fire-arrow'. Looks more like double sided fish hooks...

[Gentleman of Fortune]

There are only so many ways to make a grappling hook.. 3 tine or 4 tine. The ones that I have seen that have some providence for 18thC seem to have been made 3 tine. I long bar bent with the rope loop at the top, and the 3rd tine (shorter bar) "welded" into the the other two.

That being said, as long as it doesn't look like a factory made (in China) grappling hook, I think that this is an area so not covered and researched that I think you could get by with a reasonable facsimile.

For Example, here is one on eBay now

http://cgi.ebay.com/SUPERB-18TH-CENTURY-NA...93%3A4|294%3A50

or item number 320342974783

Edited February 20, 2009 by Gentleman of Fortune