Definition: Barnett Crossbow, also known as the barnacle crossbow, was a small bow invented in the 19th century by Henry Barnett. It is now considered one of the most primitive bows ever made. The Barnett Crossbow was constructed using an ancient type of bow made from a single piece of wood that had been covered with wax and rebar to create a flexible rod shape. The crossbow was designed for shooting small game such as rabbits, quails, and hares. To make the Barnett Crossbow, Barnett would first build a hollow wooden frame of 14 inches (35 cm) in length by 8 inches (20 cm). He then would construct a rectangular section that is 9 inches (22.7 cm) wide to form the bow body. The crossbow's outer and inner rings were made from strips of wood that were nailed together. The Barnett Crossbow was loaded with eight strings, which were wrapped in wax and rebar so they could be stretched when needed for firing arrows. Barnett also used a small wooden "gun handle" that he called the "barnacle". The gun handle would be held by a peg that was inserted into a hole drilled through the bow. To use the Barnett Crossbow, first, Barnett would set up his crossbow by firing an arrow at the ground to trigger it. After the arrow had been shot, Barnett would stand up and fire a second arrow from a different point in the woods. The second arrow would be fired at a slightly higher angle than the first one to ensure that it hits its target more effectively. The Barnett Crossbow was used by hunter-gatherers and early settlers of the west for their hunting skills, as well as by other tribes in the region who were using the same type of bows. It is important to note that the Barnett Crossbow did not have a lot of modern features such as a trigger or an arrow storage compartment like later crossbows. The barnacle crossbow was one of the earliest examples of early modern and primitive crossbows, which were made from natural materials and were used primarily for hunting and shooting small game.

Barnett Crossbows