Repeating crossbow drawing. Posts tagged 'repeat crossbow'. Multi-shot crossbow: making weapons with your own hands

CHINESE REPEATED ACTION CROSSBOW

Certainly this is the strangest weapon I have ever described.

Although the multiple-action crossbow is a weapon so ancient that the time of its origin cannot be determined, at the beginning of the 20th century. it was still in service in remote areas of the Chinese Empire.

During the war between China and Japan of 1894-1895. The repeating crossbow was often found among Chinese soldiers who came from deep behind the lines.

Rice. 172. Top view of a Chinese repeating crossbow, showing the cutout on the top of its magazine.

A unique feature of this crossbow is the principle of its continuous action, which works perfectly, despite its primitiveness, and gives the crossbowman the opportunity to fire 10 arrows in 15 seconds.

At a time when China was armed with bows and crossbows that fired one arrow at a time, the repeating crossbow was a very effective weapon for stopping the enemy’s onslaught both in the open field and when defending fortress walls.

For example, a hundred warriors armed with repeating crossbows could fire a thousand arrows into the enemy’s ranks in a quarter of a minute.

On the other hand, a hundred archers armed with bows or ordinary crossbows, firing one arrow per shot, could send no more than 200 arrows at the enemy in the same time.

The effect of a continuous stream of thousands of arrows flying into the enemy crowd in just 15 seconds was, of course, much greater than from some measly two hundred, especially considering that the arrows of barbarian peoples were often smeared with poison.

The small and light arrows of the relatively weak Chinese crossbow described here had little penetrating power. For this reason, the arrowhead was sometimes dipped in poison so that even a small wound would be fatal.

One blow from a heavy arrow from a medieval European crossbow equipped with a thick steel bow was enough to kill a person without resorting to such a cruel means as poison.

Design of a Chinese multiple-action crossbow (Fig. 174).

A, A. A magazine in which 10 or 12 small arrows are stacked (one on top of the other) when the weapon is ready for action.

B, B. The stock in which the bamboo bow is fixed.

C, Lever that draws the crossbow. The lever is attached to the crossbow stock and to its magazine via metal hinges (Fig. 174).

E. A wooden piece, along the top surface of which a cut is made for laying an arrow, having a groove for holding the bowstring.

This part is attached to the magazine and forms its lower part.

The principle of operation of the crossbow (Fig. 174)

The moment the bowstring is secured, the arrow falls from the magazine into a groove cut in front of the groove. The arrow cannot fall out of the magazine into the chute as long as the bowstring is held in the groove (Fig. 175).

The trigger mechanism consists of a small piece of hard wood. When the lever is fully retracted, the trigger mechanism pushes the tensioned string upward from the groove holding it (Fig. 174 B). The trigger mechanism is triggered in a vertical slot. The expansion at the end prevents it from falling out of the slot in which it moves up or down (Fig. 173).

Rice. 173. Action of the trigger mechanism of a Chinese crossbow: B - bowstring in the groove above the trigger mechanism; D - arrow in the groove in front of the bowstring; £ - magazine with a supply of arrows

B, Fig. 174. Here the lever is pulled back, causing the bow and string to be drawn back. If the lever is pulled further than shown in the figure, the protruding end of the trigger will be pressed into the surface

Fig. 174. Action of a Chinese crossbow: A - a magazine full of arrows is pushed forward by a lever

The string is held in a groove above the trigger; B - crossbow in readiness to fire After pressing the lower protruding end of the trigger towards the surface of the stock, the bowstring is pushed out of the groove

Crossbow stock. As a result, the upper end of the trigger mechanism will lift the bowstring out of the groove and release it. Then the arrow flies out and the crossbow returns to the position shown in Fig. 171, that is, in a state of readiness for the next shot.

From this description it is clear how simply and quickly this crossbow operates. To release arrows in the magazine, just move the lever back and forth; the speed of its movement depends on the desire of the shooter.

You can fire even a dozen arrows in 15 seconds.

Through a slight modification in the design of the crossbow, it was adapted to shoot two arrows instead of one with a single draw of the bow.

In this case, the magazine and stock were expanded 1/4 inch (1.9 cm) compared to the weapon described above. A thin vertical partition was installed in the middle of the store, dividing it into two compartments. On each side of the central partition there were a dozen arrows, one above the other. The string passed over two parallel grooves, rather than over one. Of course, each chute was located exactly under the corresponding magazine compartment. As soon as the lever was activated, two arrows fell out of the magazine and lay side by side, each in its own chute. The lowered bowstring released both arrows at the same time.

With this device, a hundred warriors could fire 2 thousand arrows in 15 seconds, that is, twice as many as from a conventional repeating crossbow.

The effective range of these Chinese crossbows was about 80 yards (73 m), with a maximum range of 180-200 yards (165-183 m). Light and short bamboo arrows were skillfully crafted and equipped with metal tips, very heavy in relation to the length of the arrow shaft. The lack of plumage did not restrict their freedom of movement when they fell out of the store one after another. For the same reason, the width of the magazine inside was slightly greater than the diameter of the arrow.

Arrow length was 12-16 inches (30.5-40.6 cm) depending on the size of the crossbow; its diameter was /16-/&schima (0.8-0.95 cm).

The 3 ft 6 in (1 m) long bow was made either from a single piece of male bamboo or from several flat pieces glued together.

In the latter case, the string was passed through a hole in each end of the bow (Fig. 174).

Rice. 175. Magazine of a Chinese multiple-action crossbow with the side walls removed

The bowstring was made from animal tendons twisted into a fairly strong cord.

It can be seen that the arrow cannot fall out of the magazine into the groove along which the bowstring runs, as long as the latter is secured in a groove above the trigger, as shown in Fig. 174, A.

Due to certain circumstances (:)), I am a big fan of silent weapons.
One of my favorite types is the crossbow.
What are the advantages of a crossbow?

1. Relative noiselessness
2. Cheap
3. Does not require a license in many countries
4. Many models penetrate armor plates

And here is an example of a MULTI-CHARGED (!) crossbow. I've never seen anything like this before. Moreover, I am glad that the creator is Russian.

MAIN CHARACTERISTICS:

The arc span is about 450 mm.
The length of the crossbow with butt is 700 mm.
The length of the crossbow without butt is 390 mm.
The height of the crossbow is 190 mm.
The weight of a crossbow with a butt without arrows is about 2 kg.
Bowstring tension force - up to 20 kg.
The arrow's flight range is 100 m.
Sighting range with an arc force of 19.9 kg - 20 m.
Sighting device - with precise adjustment.
The possibility of installing an optical sight is available.
A device for resting the cheek for accurate shooting is available.
Removable cassette for arrows - available.
Automatic fuse - available.
Type of block with arcs - quick-release.
The strength of the lock is 160 kg.
The preparation time for firing after transportation in disassembled form is 10 seconds.
Cocking type - non-removable lever system.
Rate of fire (rounds per minute) - 6.
Walnut handle - available.

“being at the exhibition “Hunting and Fishing in Rus' 2010”, held from March 18 to 21 at LenExpo, I found a small stand where the sister of a certain designer from the city of Tula was present
who developed a very, very interesting crossbow.

despite its small size, it is easily loaded by cocking just one lever, while the interchangeable bow has a tension of 90 kg...

I decided to search the Internet to find out what kind of miracle this invention is..

It turned out that it’s called the Sagittarius Crossbow and it was developed by Rafail Dmitrievich Khlynin
although according to other sources Andrei Averin developed a crossbow and received a patent for it and the crossbow is called Swift

some details are available here

at the exhibition they wanted 37 thousand rubles for such a crossbow.
Moreover, as it turned out, they have been selling their toys for three years now; at the beginning the price tag was 25,000 rubles, but now it has increased...

Distinctive features of the crossbow:

1. The highest rate of fire of any crossbow available. Achieved through a cocking lever and a convenient, quick-release arrow cassette. The height-adjustable cheek rest located on the magazine allows you to quickly and effectively aim.
2. Minimum cocking effort. Achieved by a lever system Does not require the use of a roller system to reduce traction or other cocking devices. This makes it possible to use a crossbow for children, women, people suffering from radiculitis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as people with disabilities.
3. High reliability. Achieved by a five-fold safety margin for all parts and components of the crossbow, due to the use of high-quality steels and design features.
4. A quick-release bracket with arcs and a quick-release stock allow you to assemble and disassemble the crossbow in a few seconds.
5. Possibility of shooting with any type of optical sights (for pneumatics and weapons) and without them. It is possible to equip it with one of the best, lightest and cheapest brackets for any optics, which have passed a full cycle of comparative tests on weapons in the conditions of the Tula Arms Plant.
6. Sighting bar with precise adjustment. It is possible to adjust the range by clicking the lock of the sighting bar lifting disk depending on the change in range. The design of the sighting device ensures that the sight cannot be knocked down when shooting.
7. Low cost of consumables. In the manufacture of our products, we do not use foreign components or crossbows (made in China, Malaysia, etc.), which are used by some manufacturers as blanks for their crossbows. We use metal arches made of high-quality spring steel, which in Russian conditions, if it is necessary to purchase them, makes them cheap.
8. Automatic fuse. You have the option to use it or disable it.
9. Possibility of unloading a crossbow without firing a shot.
10. We use only high quality walnut for the handle and forend, not plastic, which makes them warm and comfortable. The release of harmful substances is eliminated, which is possible when using low-quality plastics.
11. The weight of the crossbow is optimal for stabilizing aimed shooting, both in shooting ranges and in the field (it should not be very light)
12. The crossbow is certified (unlike most crossbows sold) and is not a throwing weapon, therefore it does not require additional licenses and permits.

The crossbow has no analogues in terms of functionality. Crossbows appeared, firing arrows, balls and harpoons simultaneously. A crossbow that shoots balls does not provide the necessary accuracy and will never compare with an air pistol; it is an extra, unnecessary feature for a crossbow. Our crossbow can also shoot harpoons from other manufacturers, but this type of arrow is prohibited by GOST, and in possible forensic tests such a crossbow will be recognized as a weapon, so we do not produce this type of arrow and do not equip crossbows with them.

After all, to load it, it is not enough to simply place the bolt on the bowstring and, after taking aim, shoot (as archers do) - the enormous tension force of the crossbow simply will not allow even a strong person to keep it stretched while taking aim. That is why various applications and devices have been created to simplify and speed up the procedure for loading a crossbow - leg rests, hooks (hanging on the belt), mobile gates, but they all still require a fairly large amount of time during which the game can escape.
Both in ancient times and today, alternative methods are being invented to speed up the rate of fire of a crossbow. Let's look at some of them.

Using a battery

Why strain once again and use the strength of your muscles, if this work can be easily delegated to a source of electricity. Thus, the crossbow has a clip into which the bolts are loaded, and the weapon has 2 triggers: one for loading, the other for firing a shot.
The disadvantage of this design is the increased weight of the weapon - after all, to pull a more or less powerful crossbow, more electricity will be required, that is, a battery of greater capacity and greater weight. The operation of the “electrical” circuit during rain or even high humidity is also questionable.

Large lever makes charging easier.

In order to facilitate the loading process, you can use the principle of a lever, for which a protrusion is made along the length of the entire crossbow. This design is quite simple both to execute and to use, but the crossbow still acquires additional mass. In addition, we must not forget about the additional time required to place the bolt in the stock. This model produces 6 arrows in 100 seconds - not as fast as a bow, but still faster than standard crossbow models. By the way, it can be noted that this is practically the only model of a rapid-fire crossbow that is mass-produced.

Chu-ko-nu

Probably the only historical repeating crossbow, the Chu-ko-nu, which was used in the Sino-Japanese Wars (1894-1895). In 15 seconds, such a device fired 10 arrows, so it could be called great progress for that time. Of course, the power of such a crossbow was minimal, but this was not very important, since the tips of the bolts were lubricated with the poison of the aconite flower, and the crossbow itself was the personal weapon of high-ranking persons.

Historical fiction

Of interest is the crossbow created by the greatest artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci. The shooter sits in the middle of a large wheel, takes aim and releases an arrow. In total, the design provides 4 crossbows, which are reloaded automatically by rotating this wheel. And the wheel, in turn, was driven by a group of people, covered with a shield for protection. That is, as a result of such an action, the shooter always received a cocked crossbow. In the video, enthusiasts even tried to translate this idea into reality and, by the way, in comparison with a standard fixed crossbow, the design turned out to be better.

Effectiveness or efficiency?

WanHelsing Crossbow

Turning to science fiction films for this question, you can find the most beautiful models of crossbows equipped with a machine-gun drum and made in “fantasy” style. However, this is just a toy designed for a simple viewer - for example. The video clearly shows that the crossbow string dangles a lot, so there is no need to even talk about the force and speed of release.

Who hasn't dreamed at least once about a bow or crossbow? But ideally, it would be nice to have a multi-shot crossbow: you are practically not dependent on high-tech ammunition, and the rate of fire is high. In general, the dream of any victim, survivalist or hero of the post-apocalyptic world. Now this dream has come true.

The idea belongs to the inventor Valentin Artemyev from Novosibirsk. He created a working example of a crossbow-revolver. In addition, the multi-shot crossbow can be folded very compactly, which allows it to be easily transported.

This crossbow weighs 3.5 kg, shoots accurately, like other sporting crossbows, at 30 m, and the shooter can shoot the entire drum of 8 bolts in 18 seconds.

The main idea is that a rotating bow is mounted on the crossbow; this mechanism ensures very fast cocking of the bowstring, and at the same time loading with a bolt from the drum.

The bow turns, at the extreme point the bowstring is captured, when turning back the bowstring is cocked, and at the same time a new arrow is placed from the drum using a ratchet mechanism. Then all that remains is to make the shot.

To make a homemade crossbow you will need:
*A block of non-resinous wood, size 700x10x40 mm.
*The second leaf of the spring of the Moskvich car.
*Profile pipe 50x50x2 mm. 10 cm long.
*Profile pipe 15x15x1.5 mm.
*A small piece of 2mm sheet metal.
*Stainless steel metal 4 mm thick. and 0.5-1 mm. (for the descender).
*Steel corner 50x50x4 mm. 35 cm long.
*Rod D=8 mm. 40 cm long.
*Bolts with nuts D=8
*Stainless steel molding from the VAZ-2106 door 2 pcs.
*Metal rollers 2 pcs., glass lifting mechanism from the door of a VAZ car.
*Cable D=3 mm. 3 m long, two terminal loops.
*Epoxy resin, wood stain, wood varnish for exterior use.
*Two small springs (working in tension).
*A dozen nails for roofing felt, one two hundred nail, tube D=6 mm, small washers.

We will use the following tools:
*Welding machine.
*Hand-held circular saw.
*Electric drill with speed control, carbide drills for metal D=3, 5, 8, 10 mm.
*Bulgarian, cutting discs for metal, grinding discs for wood.
*Keys, pliers, screwdriver, vice, narrow chisel, knife.
*File, sandpaper.
*Safety glasses.

Point 1. Making a stock.

Let's take a well-dried wooden block, mine was made of birch, and sketch out a sketch of the bed on it. We customize the size of the butt for each individual (according to your height), and the stock depending on the length of the arrows you will use. I use 440 mm arrows, but I had to save money on the butt, I left only 300 mm, so the total length turned out to be 740 mm, I didn’t dare to do more.

Let's draw a marking for the guide sample, for the arrow fletching, width 5 mm, depth 10 mm.

Using a circular saw, we cut out the groove the entire length, to the end of the trigger (lock).

It should look something like this.

Using a drill D=12 mm. We select a cavity for the trigger, level the ledges with a chisel and knife. We drill a hole for the trigger, bore it with a chisel and knife.

Point 2. Making a lock or trigger device.

Let's take the "walnut" type as the basis for the lock. To prevent anything from rusting, we will use stainless steel, take a sheet 4-5 mm thick, if you can’t find one, make it a composite of several sheets glued together and taken with rivets. Draw the shape of the parts on the metal.

Using a cutting disc and a grinder, we cut out the workpiece according to the markings.

In the center of the “nut” we drill a hole for the axis of rotation, D = 6 mm.

We process all sides with a file.

We sand with sandpaper, achieving a completely smooth surface.

It should look something like this.

We grind out the remaining elements of the lock, the sear.

I lengthen the trigger with two thin sheets of stainless steel and secure it with homemade rivets.

Using a sharpening machine we achieve the desired shape of the workpieces.

We make the housing of the trigger mechanism from a thin sheet of metal.

We drill three holes D = 2.5 mm in the body of the sear, one for the fastening axis and two for fastening the springs.

Let's attach the trigger spring into place.

Let's see on the table how the parts become in the cocked state.

And like after the shot.

Let's place one side of the case on the inside of the mechanism and drill holes in place for all the axes.

From a two hundred nail, 6 mm in diameter, we will make an axis for the “nut”.

Saw off the sharp end of the nail.

We measure the length of the future axis and saw it off.

Using thin nails for roofing felt, we will make the remaining rivet axles. Use a grinder to remove the shimmer on the nail heads.

Now they will fit well to the body.

Let's install the sear on the axle in the body, use intermediate washers.

We saw off the excess length of the nail, leaving 1 mm. on both sides for rolling.

Using an anvil, hammer the end of the axle.

We drill a hole for the axle with a spacer to attach the sear spring.

From a suitable tube we cut off a spacer sleeve for this axis.

We move one side of the body to the side.

We install the axle, bushing and engage the spring.

We assemble the body halves together.

We saw off the excess length, leaving a protrusion of 1 mm. under the hammer.

Let's roll it.

Now you can install the largest rivet axle of the lock. Aligning the holes.

Let's take the previously measured and sawed-off axis D=6 mm, and immediately tap it a little with a hammer on one side.

We install it in place.

And we’ll also roll it, the main thing is not to overdo it, so as not to jam the moving mechanism inside.

Point 3. Installation of the lock mechanism in the stock.

If something prevents the lock from sitting well in place, we modify it with a chisel or knife. After installation, check how the trigger moves.

If everything is fine, you can drill holes for the mounting screws and screw them into place.

Now we need decorations from the door of the VAZ-2006, they are also made of stainless steel, which is very good. To give them additional rigidity, epoxy resin was poured inside.

After complete hardening, in a day, we will drill four holes D = 3 mm in each for fastening screws.

Using a large drill, we will make hidden places for the heads of the screws so that the bowstring cable does not get caught when it slides along it.

We polish the hole exits with fine sandpaper to remove all burrs that damage the cable.

We install the finished guides on the bed.

We make sure that the screws do not go through in thin places.

We check that the lock moves without snagging on the guides.

Point 5. Making an arc or shoulders.

From the same donor doors, using a grinder, we extract the rollers of the glass lifting mechanism.

From these we will make blocks for the shoulders, and the arch itself from the second leaf of a spring from an old Moskvich car.

We will make pads to attach the spring to the stock.
To do this, from a 50x50 mm corner. Let's cut out the component elements to assemble them using welding, like this mount (block).

We will process the welds with a grinder. Let's drill mounting holes D=10 mm. under the bolts.

Based on the finished sample and the dimensions of the resulting block, we make grooves for mounting in the stock. We try on the fit, achieve a tight fit and fastening. According to the calculated position of the future bowstring, we outline and make a through groove in the sidewall of the stock, 70 mm long. 10 mm wide, the lower bowstrings will go here.

We bend and weld the leg bracket (stirrup).

Ears for blocks.
From a 50x50 profile pipe we will make eyes for attaching the roller blocks to the arc (spring).

The most difficult thing in making the arc itself from a spring at home is drilling holes in it. It is necessary to drill with a drill at low speeds so that the drill does not burn, and constantly use water. If possible, drill with drills of different diameters, from thin to thick in increments of 0.5-1 mm, and constantly sharpen the tool.

We fasten the brackets with short M8 bolts and grind off the caps.

We attach the spring to the block with two M8 bolts, followed by a small weld along the edge of the fastening.

Now you need to open the bed with varnish and dry it.
We install the block with an arc on the stock, hammer down the metal-wood for a tight fit.

Insert and tighten the M8 bolts.

From long M10 bolts we will make axle bolts reduced in length with a short thread for blocks.

Let's take a tube from the anchor and use it to make spacer bushings for the block axes.

Let's drill holes D=10 mm in the ears. to install blocks. We install rigid loop ends on the cable.

We install a block with a cable on one side of the shoulder. Do not tighten the nut too much, so as not to jam the rotation of the roller.

Drill a hole in the nut and bolt for the stud.

We install the stud and press it with the nut in the direction of unscrewing.

We push the cable through the hole in the stock and do the same with installing the roller on the other side of the shoulder.

Point 6. Upper part of the lock.

From a profile pipe 15x15 mm. saw off two 120 mm sections. Using a grinder, we cut out two (L) shaped blanks from sheet metal, one rectangular plate (on the top) and a triangle (on the back).

We connect all the parts together by welding, and clean the welding seams with a grinding disc to make it look like a solid part.

From an old folding steel meter, we make an elastic boom holder.

The photo shows the mounting bolts for the rack for the optical sight.

The same thing, only the bolts also clamp the boom holder.

The sight rail itself (dovetail) is made of the same 2 mm sheet metal, with the sides ground off for mounting optics.

A square pad is visible along the optic rail to raise the rear and thereby tilt the scope down for correct aiming at targets beyond 25 m.

We install the lock bracket on the stock and drill holes for fastening, self-tapping screws and an M6 bolt.

We tighten the small screws so that they do not go into the arrow feather channel.

We tighten the back screw.

Additionally, we drill a hole and install the last bolt.

We install an optical sight.