THE REPEATING CROSSBOW has all the handling
characteristics of a fine repeating rifle of the slide-action type. In
the hands of an experienced crossbowman, it will deliver five shots in
five seconds with near-rifle accuracy over ranges up to 40 yards. The steel-pointed
arrows or quarrels as they are correctly called, are loaded from the top
into a magazine just as the cartridges in a bolt-action fifle. After loading,
the bow is cocked by a slide, and the quarrel is fired by pressing a trigger
which releases the bowstring. Nocking of the five quarrels in the magazine
is done automatically by the repeating mechanism as shown in the lower
detail in Fig. 3. The two-piece barrel, Figs. 1 and 2, has a square bore,
the groove being cut to full depth in both halves. Then parts of both halves
are cut away so that when assembled there will be an offset slot for the
bowstring as in the lower detail in Fig. 2. Brass runners, fitted with
3 1/2" brass strips soldered edgewise to them, are screwed to the lower
barrel as in the center left-hand detail in Fig. 2. Care must be taken
to space the runner strips so that the inner edges are exactly flush with
the inner edges of the magazine liners. After making a trial assembly,
it may be necessary to file the slanting ends of the 3 1/2" strips or the
underside of the upper barrel to permit free passage of the bowstring through
the offset slot. The purpose of the offset in the slot is to force the
bowstring upward suf- ficiently to release it from the notch in the quarrel,
permitting the latter to enter the bore in free flight. In making the stock,
it's a good idea to copy a rifle or shotgun stock that fits you and has
a grip and tang shaped to your liking. Band saw the wood to the rough outline
of the stock selected, then finish to contour with wood rasps and sandpaper.
Care must be used in cutting and finishing the magazine slot in the stock,
as the Magazine liners must be spaced accurately so that the quarrels drop
freely into firing position, Fig. 3. The inner real corners of the liners
are rounded to a smooth curve. To assure free movement of the quarrel in
firing position, it may also be necessary to round the inner corners of
the brass runners. The pump slide, Fig. 2, engages the bowstring as in
Fig. 1 when in the forward position. Overhanging brass strips which are
screwed to the guide blocks, Fig. 2, ride on the brass runners. In cocking,
the slide is drawn back as far as it will go and the forward end is pulled
down slightly so that the ends of the brass strips on the slide engage
the ends of the runners. This movement locks the slide in firing position
and a groove cut across the rear end of the slide engages the trigger sear,
as shown by dotted lines in the lower detail, Fig. 3. Simultaneously, the
bowstring in passes between the first and second quarrels, and the lower
quarrel is automatically nicked ready for firing. Provide a hinged cover
for the magazine and a trigger guard. Then fit a lemon wood bow of 30 to
50-lbs. pull, using bow plates and a clamp made as in the upper details
in Fig 1. Although the dimensions of the quarrels in Fig. 1 specify that
the shaft shall be 3/8" square, it is best to finish the shaft slightly
under this dimension to allow correct clearance. Practice quarrels should
be blunt pointed.