A medieval or historical projectile weapon, similar to a crossbow bolt but small enough to be thrown or fired by hand, or operated with hand mechanisms.
Compound word from 'hand' and 'bolt,' describing a projectile or weapon component that is controlled or propelled by hand, smaller and more manageable than siege weapons.
Medieval soldiers distinguished between different projectiles with surprising precision—a handbolt was different from a bolt from a crossbow, which was different from an arrow, and armies had specialists trained specifically for each type!
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