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The Gun
projectiles - gun arrows


As the arrow was the principal projectile in use prior to the advent of the gun, so it continued to be used with early 14th century ordnance which were of light calibre.

Known as darts, quarrels, carreaux, garros, etc, gun arrows were short, with heavy oak shafts, iron points or heads and metal wings in place of feathers. Wings were mounted on three or four sides to ensure the projectile was centred in the bore and stabilised in flight, while the shaft was wrapped with leather to assist in centring and at the same time to provide a gas-tight fit.

gun arrow

WL Ruffell
Issue 91
September 1996

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Page last updated: December 7, 1998