Recurve bow

The Recurve Bow is a type of bow with curved tips to increase both speed and smoothness of the release. When the string is pulled back, it temporarily becomes a regular straight-tipped bow.

History
The Recurve Bow was spread across much of Asia by the second millennium BC. Recurve bows became much less used when firearms became widespread.

Modern use
Modern recurve bows are mainly used in the Olympics, where it is the only permitted bow.