Alternatives To The Flintlock Gun.

Some people just don’t like guns, not even flintlocks, but in 18th century few people travelled in the New World without some form of hunting tool, although Peter Kalm did in 1749 (Peter Kalm’s Travels in North America).


So for those people that wish to experience the 18th century colonial lifestyle and carry some form of hunting tool other than a gun, I have been doing a little research on what hunting tools were available from the early to mid 18th century.

The Stone Bow. This crossbow was designed to fire stones or the round lead balls used in muzzle-loading guns.

An 18th century German made crossbow for shooting crossbow bolts. Note the strong resemblance to a musket stock.

A 17th century pistol crossbow.

Woodland Indian style flat bows and arrows.