Big Joe 5 crossbow
The Big Joe 5 crossbow (BJ5) was a shoulder-fired weapon developed by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) (predecessor to Central Intelligence Agency) to be used for assassinations up to 200 m (220 yd).[1] The weapon was created with compactness in mind. It is described in John Brunner's book OSS Weapons.[2] Its ammunition consisted of 8 oz (230 g) aluminum darts or incendiary flare bolts.[3]
Unlike most crossbows, the Big Joe 5 used a rigid triangular frame to suspend an array of elastic rubber bands, which provided the energy storage and propulsive mechanism for the bolts.[4] The body of the weapon was roughly the size of a large handgun and it featured a hinged stock of heavy steel wire that doubled as a cocking lever. For transport and concealment the frame and stock could be folded, resulting in a very compact package.
References
[edit]- ^ The OSS Crossbows, Dr John W. Brunner, Phillips Pubns (1991), ISBN 0932572154
- ^ OSS Weapons book
- ^ The Field (May 7, 2020). "Special weapons of the Second World War". Retrieved August 7, 2020.
- ^ Credland, Arthur G. (2010). "The Crossbow and the Bow in Modern Warfare". Arms & Armour. 7: 53–103. doi:10.1179/174161210X12652009773492.
External links
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