The Crossbow

Foley, Vernard; Palmer, George Herbert; Soedel, W.

doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0185-104

Cited by 14 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…The crossbow was probably introduced to England via the Normans sometime after 1066 AD, and was a popular weapon up until the 16th century, with the advent of firearms [1]. In contemporary times, the crossbow is becoming an increasingly popular hunting weapon, as 'bow-hunting' season in many jurisdictions extends over a much longer season than rifle hunting.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crossbow injuries: A case report

Smyk

2009

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Crossbow injuries: A case report

Smyk

2009

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine

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“…The insight becomes more relevant where the crossbow has been ejected out by the shooter and often penetrated the armor or Kevlar protection of the target [7]. Foley, Palmer & Soedel (1985) analyze the design and development of the crossbow as an instrument from the scientific perspective understanding the trigger mechanism and the precision brought out of the string, rail and prod system working in tandem [8].…”

Section: Technologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Dual use Technology from Prehistoric Era to Modern Age: Utilization of Crossbow as a Lethal Weapon and an Agricultural Cum Research Device

2019

ijrte

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Designed by the Vedic God Shiva, the crossbow has gone beyond mythical lore and became a tool of strategic warfare in helping decimate knights, paladins and armored cavalry by arbalests or men who shoot crossbows. This ancient design has stood the test of time and has still found favor with not only action cinema, but also the hunting community and the special forces across the world. It is interesting to note that the Far eastern as well as Nordic texts term it as a favorite tool of dragon slayers, it had found major applications in hunting whales, sharks and other edible marine harvests. Certain countries in the northern hemisphere issue crossbow licenses to farmers in ensuring crop protection from vermin as well as harvesting organic meat from any overpopulating species in a given area. Additionally, it has been extensively used to build rope based connectivity using hooks when a huge gap needs to be crossed. It has also evolved as a tool to track oceanic activities by pegging sensors on its tips to etch it on whales and thus gather crucial data as they navigate the sea. This evolution from an armor piercing weapon to a civilian application device goes to the next level when a crossbow bolt is used to gain atmospheric and aerial data without fear of gaseous exhaust or electro-magnetic fields of drones. The next progression may be of ‘Cold launch missiles’ that are nearly undetectable and may change the course of military technology in the times to come.

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“…The crossbow, an ancient weapon [1] originating in China between the 8th and 5th centuries BC, played a crucial role as a defensive and offensive weapon in medieval military history [2], due to its accuracy and power. Over the years, it has been replaced by firearms [3], but it is still used today in competitive sports, such as hunting and target shooting [4]. It has a firm grip, long range, and is easy to operate without the requirement for specific training or strength, although its weight affects manoeuvrability and accuracy of shooting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A unique case of suicide by crossbow with indirect triggering and cranial injury: forensic issues and literature review

Stefano,

Guendalina,

Riccardo

et al. 2024

Forensic Sci Med Pathol

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Currently, crossbows are involved in some deaths, including suicides. These are rare events for which an accurate study of the body discovery site and reconstruction of the triggering mechanism of the crossbow represent crucial medicolegal elements. In this report, a unique case of suicide by crossbow is presented, in which the male victim constructed an elaborate scenario. He arranged two tripod stands to hold the crossbow at the height of his head, and a third to support a hollow tube positioned in front of the muzzle of the crossbow to direct the bolt. After positioning the center of the forehead in front of the hollow tube, the trigger was activated from a distance using a hooked metal rod. The methods used prompted a literature review on suicide by crossbow, which revealed only 14 reports from 1993 to 2023. The head and chest were the main target areas, and in almost all cases, the victims directly pulled the trigger with their finger. Only one case of indirect triggering was found, with the chest as the target. Therefore, in this scenario, the case presented stands as a unique report, due to the elaborate system devised to carry out the suicide and accurately strike the predetermined target.

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The Crossbow

Cited by 14 publications

References 0 publications

Crossbow injuries: A case report

Crossbow injuries: A case report

Dual use Technology from Prehistoric Era to Modern Age: Utilization of Crossbow as a Lethal Weapon and an Agricultural Cum Research Device

A unique case of suicide by crossbow with indirect triggering and cranial injury: forensic issues and literature review

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