Original Item. Only One Available. The Big Joe 5 crossbow (BJ5) was a shoulder-fired weapon developed by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) (predecessor to Central Intelligence Agency) to be used for assassinations up to 200 m (220 yd). The weapon was created with compactness in mind. It is described in John Brunner's book OSS Weapons. Its ammunition consisted of 8 oz (230 g) aluminum darts or incendiary flare bolts.

Unlike most crossbows, the Big Joe 5 used a rigid triangular frame to suspend an array of elastic rubber bands, which provided the energy storage and propulsive mechanism for the bolts. The body of the weapon was roughly the size of a large handgun and it featured a hinged stock of heavy steel wire that doubled as a cocking lever. For transport and concealment the frame and stock could be folded, resulting in a very compact package.

The arrow is approximately 13⅞” long and is composed of a combination of aluminum and steel. The tip of the arrow is made of steel and is heavily oxidized as shown. 4-ST can be read in red on one of the wings.

Anything related to the OSS during WWII is extremely scarce. These bolts were designed specifically for assassination, and this one is in fantastic condition. Comes ready for further research and display.

The Office of Strategic Services (OSS) was the intelligence agency of the United States during World War II. The OSS was formed as an agency of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to coordinate espionage activities behind enemy lines for all branches of the United States Armed Forces. Other OSS functions included the use of propaganda, subversion, and post-war planning. This is a tremendous piece of OSS field gear not often seen outside of museums.

The OSS was dissolved a month after the end of the war. Intelligence tasks were shortly later resumed and carried over by its successors the Department of State's Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), and the independent Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).