The harp is a lie.

[Ferth]

Considering Crossbows use the same underlying mechanics as bows and its been confirmed to transform then yes, it could. A crossbow is essentially a mechanized bow at the cost of range. Let's have a composite longbow, not as effective at close range, that can turn into a crossbow, much more effective at close ranges and less effective at longer ranges.

Most of that post is pretty accurate, EXCEPT your allegation of Bows not being as effective as Crossbows in close range.

The bow in the hands of a trained archer is devastating, at hand-to-hand fighting both weapons are largely useless but real crossbows take an inordinate amount of time to reload... longer than single firing muskets even.

The only benefit crossbows had over long bows was that you didn't need to spend most of your life training to use one.