Essentially a hand held version of the crossbow, this weapon’s exquisite construction—all steel—increases the tension in the cord when cranked, thus making it a worthwhile addition to any warrior’s arsenal. Better still, given its small size, it’s an ideal weapon for horsemen, who can keep one hand on the reigns of their mount while firing at enemies. Though smaller, it is still slow to reload, requiring the wielder to draw back the bowstring by a screw built into the weapon’s stock.[1a]
Crossbow pistols are masterpieces made by expert weaponsmiths. They are miniature crossbows with all the power and accuracy of the real thing. As these weapons may be easily concealed, they are the favoured weapon of assassins.[2a]