Balestrina

[AllenOwen]

Am I right in thinking a "balestrina" is a hand crossbow that fires lead pellets?

[Morgoth Feuerklinge]

The Balestrina is the smallest member of the family of torsion weapons and can be loaded very quickly and fired with one hand. In the military, it is used as a second weapon for many officers, and it is also used by both the nobility and the more dubious elements of society (if they can afford to buy it). There are even reports of hard-boiled fighters storming into battle with several balestrinas ready to fire in their sash. The Balestrina is also clamped with an underrun lever.

That's a pic from drakensang.