These plans layout the pieces you need to make a historically-accurate 17thC Balestrino or "Assassin" Crossbow. This is an advanced project, recommended only for experienced makers and engineers.
This product will provide full downloadable engineering drawings, complete with all dimensions and materials required to make the 30 components used in the bow. It includes details of making jigs which may assist in the construction of specific components like the string of the bow.
Very little is known about these small medieval and renaissance crossbows and there are very few in existence, but all were loaded with a screw jack in the grip and usually had a top trigger and were often highly decorated.
They are also known as assassins crossbows, though the low impact energy really counts this out, so we suspect they were rich men's ‘executive toys’ rather than weapons.
The bow has a high poundage between 190lb to 220lb, but the short draw length means this cannot be translated into a powerful shot. However they are great fun.
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USING TOOLS, MAKING OBJECTS THAT STORE ENERGY AND DISCHARGE IT BY SHOOTING A PROJECTILE CAN BE DANGEROUS. IT IS UP TO YOU TO DECIDE IF YOU ARE ABLE TO DO THIS SAFELY; I CANNOT DECIDE THIS FOR YOU. NO LIABILITY IS IMPLIED OR ACCEPTED BY TODS WORKSHOPS LTD FOR ANYTHING YOU CREATE BASED ON THESE DRAWINGS. IF YOU CANNOT MAKE AND OPERATE THIS DEVICE SAFELY, DON’T DO IT. BE SAFE OR DON’T DO IT. PLEASE CHECK AND ABIDE BY LOCAL LAWS FOR THE LEGALITY OF THIS DEVICE
