The artillery loop
is a
knot
A knot is an intentional complication in cordage which may be practical or decorative, or both. Practical knots are classified by function, including hitches, bends, loop knots, and splices: a ''hitch'' fastens a rope to another object; a ' ...
with a
loop on the
bight
The word is derived from Old English ''byht'' (“bend, angle, corner; bay, bight”). In modern English, bight may refer to:
* Bight (geography), recess of a coast, bay, or other curved feature
* Bight (knot), a curved section, slack part, or loo ...
for non-critical purposes. The artillery loop must have the loop loaded or it will slip and contract easily. It is an inferior knot to the
alpine butterfly knot
The butterfly loop, also known as lineman's loop, butterfly knot, alpine butterfly knot, Swiss loop and lineman's rider, is a knot used to form a fixed loop in the middle of a rope. Tied in the bight, it can be made in a rope without access to ei ...
,
possibly dangerously so, in that it can be yanked out of shape and turn into a running knot or noose.
Budworth states that this knot is often described as being best suited to take a load on only one of the ends, but reliable information on which end is difficult to find.
[ ]
Tying the knot
Image:ArtilleryLoop HowTo.jpg, Artillery loop step by step
Image:ArtilleryLoop FinalKnot.jpg, Finished Artillery loop
Usage
The name ''harness loop'' derives from the fact that the knot was used when assisting horses on difficult terrain.
Similarly, the name ''artillery loop'' or ''artilleryman's hitch'' derives from the fact that it was used when hauling field artillery into position.
See also
*
Harness bend
*
List of knots
This list of knots includes many alternative names for common knots and lashings. Knot names have evolved over time, and there are many conflicting or confusing naming issues. The overhand knot, for example, is also known as the thumb knot. The ...
Notes and references
External links
Artillery Loop
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