A crossbow is an artificial weapon for shooting, made of elastic and hard materials to enhance shooting. The concept embedded in a crossbow is borrowed from bow and arrow. Except that in a crossbow, instead of arrows, it uses bolts also known as quarrels. A crossbow is a combination of quarrel, lath, stock, and a lock which comprises string, sears, trigger lever, and housing. Lath is the bow of a crossbow and is usually mounted to a stock, which is the wooden part of the crossbow. Crossbows take the shape of a rifle and a bow at the same time. Although the crossbow and bow and arrow may be used for almost the same purpose, the crossbow is more efficient and easier to operate. Unlike the bow and arrow, a crossbow does not require a lot of tactical training because it has a lock.
Evolution of the Crossbow
Taking a tour of how it all began will give us a good insight of this glamorous weapon invented by our ancestors, which was used to fight for nations we are living in now.
Since its invention in the 5th century, a crossbow has undergone improvement to achieve the modern 21st century crossbow. It was first invented by the Chinese, but was later espoused by the Greeks and used in war. This led to its significant recognition by the whole world, especially because of its ease to use as compared to the bow and arrow. The militaries that adopted the crossbow began making alterations to it, in order to have significant meaning about their troops. In today’s world, the crossbow has completely been amalgamated to meet the today’s standardized crossbow. With the high technology that can be used in ameliorating the weapon, the today’s crossbow has been improved in its appearance, functionality and design. A lot has been incorporated to develop this weapon. The adjustable stocks and lightweight materials used in developing the today’s crossbow is a true delineation of sophistication and what more is to come in the future.
Differences Between a Crossbow and a Conventional Bow
They both have some similarities, but despite that, the crossbow will be mind-boggling once you know more about it.
The time required to train for a conventional bow is much more than for a crossbow. Even a newbie in the field can easily use a crossbow.
A crossbow has been improved and made easier to operate. Whereas a conventional bow requires a lot of energy, focus and stability in order to draw the bowstring. A crossbow does not require a lot of human effort in order to increase the draw weight.
A crossbow releases more energy than an ordinary bow and arrow and is also more accurate.
Importance of a Crossbow
For an invention to be made, there has to be a good reason behind it, there is no difference to the invention and upgrading of the crossbow. It was created for a good reason, which happens to be security. You will be surprised to find out how useful and multi-tasked this weapon is. Its inventors must have been creative to come up with this masterpiece weapon.
Self-Defense
In the eras during the invention of this weapon, people used to keep beehives in the forest where there were many other animals. For them to protect themselves and their beehives from these animals, people used crossbows to shoot them. Even today if it were not for self-defense, I don’t know why people would be licensed to acquire firearms and other weapons.
Hunting
Hunting can be for fun or a way to make money. Whichever the reason you are hunting, a crossbow will be your first weapon to use. In the recent past, many hunters have adopted the use of the crossbow I believe it is because of the energy release by this weapon that when it hits an animal, the impact is great and kills it instantly.
Militia Purposes
This was the major reason that led to the crossbow being unwrapped to the rest of the world. Militaries incorporated the crossbow and used it in wars.
Though there has been a radical development of melee and nuclear weapons in the recent years, some militia camps still have the crossbow weapons. Even though they do not use them in war, there are other activities they can use them in, like in developing zip lines in unfavorable territories.
Sporting
Who said target shooting is an outdated game? We have people participating in the game still today, and most of them are using crossbows for the activity.
Tagging
When researchers are investigating animals, they need to implant trackers on them. Some are dangerous to get near, therefore, they use the crossbow to plant the tracker on the animals. This may not be the best way, but not all are licensed to have firearms.
Today, we are encountering many movie actors and producers incorporating the concept of crossbows in their projects. They prefer to go for this weapon instead of guns and gunpowder, because crossbows are emblematic. They symbolize strength and fighters, as this relates to its original use in the ancient days.
Conclusion
Keeping this preppy and quaint weapon safe for the generations to come will be influential and educative to them. Learning about ancestral inventions will be a great inspiration to them. Keeping history starts with this article because it will exist for as long as technology is in operation.