Clayton Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Gents; I have been told this arrow is an OSS (forerunner to the CIA) crossbow bolt. Can anyone confirm this identification? The arrow is all metal and has a 10 inches length. Many thanks for your help, Clay Link to post Share on other sites
dalbert Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Clayton, That does look exactly like one of the arrows shown on page 91 of Dr. John Brunner's book, "OSS Weapons II." David Albert dalbert@sturmgewehr.com NRA Life MemberPast President, The American Thompson AssociationAmerican Society of Arms CollectorsOhio Gun Collectors AssociationCarbine ClubGarand Collectors Association International Ammunition AssociationContributing Writer, Small Arms Review MagazineCo-Author, "Thompson Manuals, Catalogs, & Other Paper Items" Collector GuideOne of the "Other Authors" of "The Ultimate Thompson Book," by Tracie L. HillEagle Scout, and Member of NESA Link to post Share on other sites
Clayton Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 Hello David: Thank you for the information. Unfortunately, I don't have the book you mentioned. Could you tell me what age do they give for this crossbox arrow in your reference book? I'll watch for your response. Clay Link to post Share on other sites
kwill Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Do I see traces of red paint on the fins? If so, that is a good sign. The OSS experimented with lots of different configurations of crossbows. So many, in fact, that Dr. Brunner (an OSS agent himself) wrote a whole book about them: The OSS Crossbows published by Phillips Publications in 1990. Regards, Kevin Williams Link to post Share on other sites
dalbert Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 Clay, The book does not list a date, or any other specifics about the arrow in question, but the date range mentioned for the crossbows is between 1944 to 1945. David Albert dalbert@sturmgewehr.com NRA Life MemberPast President, The American Thompson AssociationAmerican Society of Arms CollectorsOhio Gun Collectors AssociationCarbine ClubGarand Collectors Association International Ammunition AssociationContributing Writer, Small Arms Review MagazineCo-Author, "Thompson Manuals, Catalogs, & Other Paper Items" Collector GuideOne of the "Other Authors" of "The Ultimate Thompson Book," by Tracie L. HillEagle Scout, and Member of NESA Link to post Share on other sites
Clayton Posted April 22, 2012 Author Share Posted April 22, 2012 Hello Kevin: Yes there is traces of red paint on the fins. It really sounds like your folks hsve confirmed what I was told earlier. Clay Link to post Share on other sites
Clayton Posted April 22, 2012 Author Share Posted April 22, 2012 Hello David: I'm going to try and find a copy of that book. Are there two volumes or even more volumes in the set? Clay Link to post Share on other sites
gwb123 Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Hello David: I'm going to try and find a copy of that book. Are there two volumes or even more volumes in the set? Clay There appear to be a few copies on Amazon.com, but they are not cheap. http://www.amazon.com/OSS-Special-Weapons-...6860&sr=8-1 Gil BurketOmaha, NESpecializing in Fakes and Reproductionsof the Vietnam Warburkcats@hotmail.com "One is easily fooled by that which one loves." Moliere: Tartuffe Link to post Share on other sites
kwill Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 Clayton, The 2nd Edition of Brunner's book on OSS Weapons is an update. You don't need both. Regards, Kevin Williams Link to post Share on other sites
DSchlagan Posted April 22, 2012 Share Posted April 22, 2012 After getting a solid ID on that bolt, and the forthcoming request/assignment on value, ...I'm certain that you would wish to include a link to the "FOR SALE" section; for any interested party-goers. I'm certainly looking forward to it .l. Also: you really do take some lovely photos of your merchandise. Perhaps you might care to share some of your expertise in the PHOTOS & IMAGING Section, for the benefit of all.,. Buy-the-bye: A close friend of mine gave a documented NVA/guke crossbow/complete, as an X-Mas present, last year. It IS NOT for sale, and WILL actually reside in the collection ..."fo-eva and a day"..... Happy Trails...... 'No matter what the question ...the answer is always Clausewitz.' 'A nation's strength is defined not by the size of its army, but by whether it means what it says.' Prussian MG C.P.G. von Clausewitz * The MER of an excuse is zero meters.* "Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity." "It is the unconquerable nature of man and not the nature of the weapon he uses that ensures victory." GEN George S. Patton, Jr. "The world has achieved brilliance without wisdom, power without conscience." GA Omar N. Bradley "It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma: but perhaps there is a key." PM Winston Churchill Link to post Share on other sites
Clayton Posted April 22, 2012 Author Share Posted April 22, 2012 Many thanks to everyone for their help. The folks on this forum are real gentlemen and the wealth of knowledge here is truly amazing. I have collected over 50 years and we had nothing like this forum in the old days. Again I thank everyone for their generous assistance and kind comments. My very best regards to all, Clay Link to post Share on other sites
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