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The Bullet Shooting Target
Crossbow
The lock, and the catch that holds the stretched bow-string are. the
same as those shown in Chapter XLIII.
The fingers of the catch are recessed into the barrel sufficiently to
allow them to move up or down as required, so that they may grasp or set
free the bow-string, fig. 159.
The bow of this crossbow is bent in the same manner as the one depicted
in fig. 156, p. 217. The stringing lever is also similar in all respects.
When the bow has been bent by the lever the bullet is inserted in the
barrel, down which it rolls till it rests against the centre of the bow-string,
fig. 158.
Fig. 160. - Method of Fastening the Bow to the Stock
by a Metal Screw Strap.
A, the bow; B,B, screws: C, the crosspiece through
the stock of the crossbow in which the smooth parts of the shanks of the
screw revolve.
The crossbow cannot be aimed downwards, or the bullet will run out of
the barrel.
This bullet crossbow with a barrel is very popular in Belgium for shooting
at small wooden birds set on the top of a pole about 100 ft. in height.
The competitors endeavour to knock the dummy birds off the pole, the
shooter who succeeds in bringing down the last remaining bird winning the
first prize. Unless the aiming is very correct, a bird may be struck many
times without being brought to the ground.1
1 The extreme top of the pole has a crosspiece.
On this crosspiece there are fixed at intervals, a dozen or so sets of
small outward-curving steel springs, like the feathers of a shuttlecock
pointed upwards. A dummy bird, made of lignum vitae, is placed inside each
set of springs and cannot well be knocked out of |
