The Crossbow
The leverage obtained from the fork of the lever, as you pull its handle
back, will enable you to stretch the bow-string to the catch of the lock
smoothly and quickly.
I, fig. 43, p. 85. The lever fitted to the stock and bow-string, and
ready to stretch the string over the catch of the lock.
II, fig. 43. The bow-string stretched over the catch of the lock by
pulling back the handle of the lever. The lever having now no strain upon
it from the bow-string, is loose, and may be removed from the stock by
lifting it upwards. When not in use the. handle of the lever is hinged
back, so as to lie between the sides of the fork.
The goat's-foot lever I have described, was adapted to fit the small
crossbow carried by mounted soldiers, as well as the light weapon employed
in the chase or at the target.
In the case of foot-soldiers, however, a more powerful crossbow was
used than could be managed on horseback, its goat's-foot lever being also
larger, to enable it to bend the bow of the stronger weapon.
This crossbow could only be bent by resting its stock on the ground
and then forcing the handle of its lever downwards with the right hand,
whilst the left hand grasped a stout metal ring secured to the fore-end
of the stock. Fig. 45, opposite page, shows a crossbow being bent in this
way by its goat's-foot lever.
In these weapons of the foot-soldier, a lever of proportionate thickness
to the strength of the bow intended to be bent, was, of course, necessary,
the lever being usually about one-third longer in all its parts than the
one given in fig. 44, and of suitable strength.
I should add that though these heavier crossbows were of considerable
power and efficiency in warfare, they were much inferior in range and penetration
to the crossbow that could not be bent by a goat's-foot lever, and which
required a windlass or a cranequin for the purpose. |