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Chapter XXXIV
The Seventeenth Century Stonebow, with a Thicker
Steel Bow which was Bent by a Lever Fixed in Its
Stock
Fig. 103. - Stonebow with a Lever Fixed in Its Stock.
In the first half of the seventeenth century, the stonebow was fitted
with a lever to bend its bow and stretch its bowstring. This was a most
useful addition and one that allowed of a considerably more powerful bow
than had previously been possible.
A stonebow of this kind was, of course, capable of throwing a pebble
with much more force than was attainable from a bow, as described in the
last chapter, which was bent by the unaided hand.
The general mechanism of the improved stonebow of the end of the seventeenth
century (fig. 104, next page), was the same as that of its successor the
modern bullet crossbow of the nineteenth century, Chapter XXXVII. Even
its sights, lock, lever, bow-string and other parts were |
