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Description
A crossbow
is simply a bow fitted to a wooden stock (crosswise,
hence the name), the string held in the cocked
position by a simple latch and the projectile
(called a bolt or quarrel) placed in a groove on the
upper surface of the stock. The firer cocks the
crossbow using a lever or hand crank, pulling the
string back over the latch. A bolt can then be
placed in the groove, and the bow held ready to fire
for as long as desired. To fire, the archer simply
takes aim and squeezes the firing lever or trigger.
Because of its design, the bow in a crossbow
can be more powerful than an individual could otherwise use, and
greater range can be achieved. Crossbows require more sophisticated
construction techniques than simple bows. |
