The bowcaster is the traditional weapon of the Wookiees. It is a common misconception that it launches energy bolts, like a blaster. However, it actually launches "quarrels", which are energized crossbow bolts. The quarrels are surrounded by an energy cocoon while in flight, which gives them the appearance of extra-long blaster bolts. The cocoon gives them an extremely high stopping power. Wookiees can load their bowcasters with both standard and explosive tipped quarrels, and the bandolier across Chewbacca's chest likely holds both. The spring that powers the bowcaster is extremely hard to pull back, and humans are generally incapable of cocking a bowcaster. However, modern bowcasters seem to have an automatic cocking system, allowing any species to use them. These bowcasters are also capable of loading more than one quarrel into their chamber, giving them a shotgun-like effect. Some Wookies were known to have added extra strings for multiple shots, and during the Imperial occupation of Kashyyk, Wookies bolted on E-11 blaster rifles to the bottom of the bowcaster for extra firepower.

Key Points

• The nearest match to the screen used crossbow appears to be the Horton Safari , Magnum or Horton Monarch Supreme Crossbow.
• There are a total of 3 Imperial discs on the bowcaster
• The two flanking scopes have not been identified but they are probably the same as the Dr. Evazan blaster but definitely not the same as the Boba Fett blaster. They are not ASI 4 x 20's. The closest ones found are Nikko Stirlings.
• The centre scope is a cone tipped singlepoint. You also need a pair of ROTJ style scope rings and a pair of the Boba Fett style scope rings.
• The ANH Bowcaster used a 2" wide medical bag strap, the same as the Aliens Pulse Rifle. For the ESB/ROTJ Bowcaster, a 1¼" wide M-1 style sling was used.
• There are two coiled cords on the bowcaster. One runs around the back of the bowcastere just underneath the scopes and attaches tot he same place on either side of the bowcaster. It is near the rear of the gun. The second coiled cord is on the right side and plugs into a small electronics plug and the goes back into a small hole a few inches behind it.
• The ANH Bowcaster did not have the crossbow string on the bow. This was added for the Empire Strikes Back, and remained on the bowcaster during Return of the Jedi.
• The bowcaster itself is 27½ inches long.
• On the right side of the bowcaster, there are three dials. These dials appear to be made of aluminium with a plastic, riddged outer casing and aluminium skirt. Some of these dials contain numbers from 1 to 10. On the left side there is only one of these knobs.
• On the left side of the bowcaster there are two knurled knobs. One of them has a metal skirt/dial similar to the block dials on the other side.
• There are two large discs with a small bump in the center on each side of the bowcaster. They are directly above the trigger and are in exactly the same spot on both sides.