ATLAN FORMULARIES - PO Box 95, Apena, Arkansas 72611

                               US MILITIA - Kurt Saxon
                 By Austin H. Whelps - POPULAR MECHANICS AUGUST 1951

          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 quallel 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.


                            (501) 437-2999 - FAX 437-2973                                          





                 ATLAN FORMULARIES - PO Box 95, Apena, Arkansas 72611

          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. 










































                            (501) 437-2999 - FAX 437-2973