Pellet Crossbow ca. 1550-1600 probably Italian or French The slender stock of walnut is rectangular in section, straight at the butt, with a deep dip between the bow and release hook. The stock is carved on top with a crouching dragon-like creature and at the front end with a grotesque animal head. The butt tapers slightly and terminates in a turned ebony finial. The bow of polished steel is fitted with a bowstring made of two parallel cords, separated by wooden spacers, and fitted in the center with a basket into which the pellet or stone would fit. The spring-operated release lever is of polished steel and pivots within the stock; its front end is shaped as a hook to receive the basket of the bowstring. The arched rear sight of steel is decorated with moldings and is mounted on the stock behind the release hook; the front sight consists of two vertical steel columns between which a bead originally was suspended.Pellet crossbows shot small stones or molded clay pellets rather than ste