"The ‘Little Joe’ Crossbow, Weapon of the OSS" Topic
9 Posts
All members in good standing are free to post here. Opinions expressed here are solely those of the posters, and have not been cleared with nor are they endorsed by The Miniatures Page.
Remember that you can Stifle members so that you don't have to read their posts.
For more information, see the TMP FAQ.
Back to the WWII Discussion Message Board
Areas of InterestWorld War Two on the Land
Featured Hobby News Article
Featured Recent Link
Top-Rated Ruleset
Featured Showcase Article
Featured Workbench Article
|
Tango01  | 18 Nov 2020 10:01 p.m. PST |
"On October 27, 1942, the U.S. Office of Strategic Services, the nation's wartime intelligence agency, asked the National Defense Research Committee to come up with a silent, easily concealed weapon that its covert operatives could carry deep into occupied territories and use for such purposes as eliminating sentries or guard dogs. The OSS's proposed specifications included a muzzle velocity of 1,000 feet per second and a minimum reloading time of 30 seconds. Wrestling with the challenge, the NDRC's engineers set aside ideas for propellant weapons and, looking to the past for inspiration, decided instead to investigate the potential of crossbows. One of their ideas, which reached prototype form in February 1943, was the "Little Joe Penetrometer"—essentially a hand-held, vertical-profile pistol crossbow. The frame was made from heat-treated aluminum; the bowstring from 50 rubber bands. A section of graphite-coated linen in the center of the bowstring was the contact point for an 8-ounce bolt with a broad-headed metal tip…"
Main page
link Amicalement
Armand |
| Thresher01 | 18 Nov 2020 10:44 p.m. PST |
A 1,000 ft. per second is a very, VERY lofty bar. Even modern, full-sized crossbows don't get anywhere near that velocity. That's more like pistol velocity, as opposed to anything with a bow. |
| Bunkermeister | 19 Nov 2020 12:11 a.m. PST |
M1911 firing .45 ACP is only 900 fps. Interesting but seems a bit bulky to smuggle under your shirt. Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog |
| 4th Cuirassier | 19 Nov 2020 5:43 a.m. PST |
Does at least suggest that those Mad Max pistol crossbows are actually feasible. They never looked very dangerous to me… |
| dale mcroberts | 19 Nov 2020 6:42 a.m. PST |
But as used by Waylander? Deadly. :-o |
| General Kirchner | 19 Nov 2020 7:55 a.m. PST |
it looks like 50 ft/sec is a lofty goal with that thing…. |
| Tango01 | 19 Nov 2020 11:59 a.m. PST |
|
| bsrlee | 20 Nov 2020 3:19 a.m. PST |
The photo in the story does not have the original rubber bands – it used hundreds. There was an article on these decades ago in the Journal of the Society of Archer Antiquaries which had photos of them with the original bands – the bands looped over steel pins that fitted in the claw shapes. Australia also developed a 'silent' crossbow weapon for the Pacific Theater, but it fired 1 inch diameter explosive and incendiary bolts do destroy supplies and buildings, not anti-personel. |
| Tango01 | 20 Nov 2020 1:04 p.m. PST |
Thanks!. Amicalement
Armand |
|
