| Crossbow is primarily used as a weapon. | | | | The major difference between a crossbow and a |
| Crossbow is often confused with a bow. It is | | | | normal bow is that a crossbow has a shorter |
| similar to a bow in operation, but both are | | | | drawn length than a bow. A lighter crossbow can |
| different. The structure of a crossbow is like that | | | | be drawn by hand easily but heavier ones are in |
| of a small bow attached over a small piece of | | | | need of some sort of mechanical setup. Some of |
| wooden plank, constructed with a small lever | | | | the mechanical support systems used in crossbow |
| mechanism to shoot small arrow like structures. | | | | are the pull lever, push lever, windlass, etc. |
| Crossbows are believed to be originated in China. | | | | The string used in a crossbow is made up of |
| Originally developed as a hunting weapon, | | | | strong fibers. These fibers are made of different |
| crossbows were also used as an efficient and | | | | materials like whipcord, linen, hemp and sinew. In |
| powerful weapon in ancient war fields. In the | | | | ancient times crossbows were made of only |
| hands of a skilled warrior, a crossbow could be as | | | | wood. Modern day cross bows are made of fiber |
| deadly as any other weapon to fear. | | | | glass and wood. Crossbows are used in match |
| The small arrows like structures that are used in | | | | competitions over 10m (33 ft) and 30m (100 ft). |
| a crossbow are called 'bolt'. A bolt is more similar | | | | Crossbows are considered to be the inspiration |
| to an arrow, but has a reduced length when | | | | for modern day guns. Guns operate in a similar |
| compared to an arrow. A bolt has a metal tip in | | | | way as that of a cross bow. Bullets are used in |
| the front and a light feathering at the rear end. | | | | place of bolts. The process of loading a gun with |
| The feathering is used to guide the bolt and the | | | | bullets and firing is similar in function as that of |
| metal tip to hit the target hard. | | | | loading a bolt and shooting in a crossbow. |