Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Matchlock · 24th February 2009, 05:14 PM

Hi Jim,

I beg to differ but I do not think that Colin's arrows are crossbow bolts. Some months ago, in a post on a singular collection of crossbows and accouterments, I pictured some characteristic crossbow bolts (quarrels):

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7457

As they had to fit tight in the narrow cutout of the crossbow nut most of them had ovally flattened or even completely fattened rear ends. Also the usual length of a quarrel is some 39-42 cm and they are equipped with rather short iron bolts and either wooden or leather fletches.

All the European late medieval quarrels that I have seen had oak hafts, the fletches were mostly of beechwood or withe. In the 18th and 19th centuries, crossbow bolts became even shorter (ca. 25-30 cm) and their fletches were made of birds feathers while their irons were very short (ca. 3-4 cm), round and had an acutely pointed tip.

I think that Colin's items are definitely arrows for a bow but cannot make a quick shot at their national origin nor can I offer an explanation why their rear ends are not cut in.

Michael

24th February 2009, 05:14 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Jim, I beg to differ but I do not think that Colin's arrows are crossbow bolts. Some months ago, in a post on a singular collection of crossbows and accouterments, I pictured some characteristic crossbow bolts (quarrels): http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7457 As they had to fit tight in the narrow cutout of the crossbow nut most of them had ovally flattened or even completely fattened rear ends. Also the usual length of a quarrel is some 39-42 cm and they are equipped with rather short iron bolts and either wooden or leather fletches. All the European late medieval quarrels that I have seen had oak hafts, the fletches were mostly of beechwood or withe. In the 18th and 19th centuries, crossbow bolts became even shorter (ca. 25-30 cm) and their fletches were made of birds feathers while their irons were very short (ca. 3-4 cm), round and had an acutely pointed tip. I think that Colin's items are definitely arrows for a bow but cannot make a quick shot at their national origin nor can I offer an explanation why their rear ends are not cut in. Michael Last edited by Matchlock; 24th February 2009 at 07:50 PM.