8/11/2023 0 Comments Automatic crossbow mythbusters![]() ![]() ![]() I am sure that some rudimentary automatic weapons could be built easily if a medieval engineer had the know-how. ![]() I mean, to be a little over-simplified, we have them now right? If humans have an idea, it is usually possible, at least to an extent. If you want a simpler version of this: Get a Chinese repeating crossbow and attach it to a reciprocating wheel assembly. It would probably have to be a mounted weapon due to the weight of the power store and complexity of the polybolos system, but it's certainly possible. Wind it up ahead of time, wait for your attackers, then pull the trigger (which removes a pin that would otherwise prevent the bow from firing when fully retracted). If this isn't automatic enough for you, however, you could also add a twisted rope store for rotational energy (similar to those used in catapults) and some gearing to make sure that the release of power isn't instantaneous but instead happens at a reasonable rate. I think this already qualifies as an automatic weapon because there is no discrete action required to launch the next bolt, you just provide mechanical power and it continues to fire. The second, the greek Polybolos operates by the continuous (turns out it isn't continuous, but with a suitable gearing mechanism could be made to be continuous as it's just a change in direction) turning of a windlass, and as long as it's supplied with bolts from the top could theoretically be fired indefinitely. That design ( the repeating crossbow) operates with a combined reload/firing mechanism operated by a lever.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |