The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Why no inventor built a simple automatic weapon during the War Between the States?

BlueTrain · November 8, 2012, 11:00 AM

Maybe the did but I've never seen a photo of one. There are photos of Jack Churchill with his sword, which was a basket hilt broadsword.

I once owned a pistol gripped crossbow. I was still in junior high school at the time. I think it was a Whamo. It had a steel bow probably no more than about eighteen inches long. It would put a target pointed arrow (bolt) through a piece of galvenized steel but it would bounce off a piece of hardwood. If was definitely a short-range affair but it was still a lot of fun. We were always fooling around with bows and arrows, knives and lots of sharp sticks. Wonder we all still have both eyes (but not without a lot of scars).

November 8, 2012, 11:00 AM	#81
BlueTrain Senior Member Join Date: September 26, 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 5,809	Maybe the did but I've never seen a photo of one. There are photos of Jack Churchill with his sword, which was a basket hilt broadsword. I once owned a pistol gripped crossbow. I was still in junior high school at the time. I think it was a Whamo. It had a steel bow probably no more than about eighteen inches long. It would put a target pointed arrow (bolt) through a piece of galvenized steel but it would bounce off a piece of hardwood. If was definitely a short-range affair but it was still a lot of fun. We were always fooling around with bows and arrows, knives and lots of sharp sticks. Wonder we all still have both eyes (but not without a lot of scars). __________________ Shoot low, sheriff. They're riding Shetlands! Underneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag, and return us to our own beloved homes! Buy War Bonds.