A Heavy Weight Crossbow

CSinTX · 28th May 2022, 01:29 AM

More than two years, and I have now caught covid for the first time. Not being one to just sit around, a couple motrin and out to take some pictures of a crossbow Ive had for a while. I dont know a lot about it except it's big and heavy.

I think for castle defense? Approximate age? Does anyone know of similar examples? Period art work?

What time period were the four pins used to secure the parts?

I think the string is likely a replacement?

What would the empty holes in the top be for?

Is the trigger in its original configuration or would it have been fired with a lever when first made?

Lots of pictures!

Thanks a bunch!

CSinTX · 28th May 2022, 01:30 AM

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Rick · 28th May 2022, 01:48 AM

CS, have you searched the term 'crossbow' here for posts by matchlock?

fernando · 28th May 2022, 01:10 PM

Interesting item indeed, Casey. What do you understand as big and heavy; can you tell its length and weight ?
Somehow it looks like this target example from the second half 17th century. Only that this one's stock length measures 935 milimeters and weighs 5 190 grams.
Can you take a picture of yours in the same position as this one i show? Just curious to know how 'different' they are

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cornelistromp · 28th May 2022, 03:42 PM

It is a Flemish/Dutch target crossbow from the beginning of the 18th century. It is not a combat bow to defend a castle.
With this crossbow, competitions were held, targets in the form of a wooden rooster were shot.
The winner was named "Gilde Koning" and was allowed to wear a silver chain with a King's bird as recognition for the coming year.

A round pin is pressed in one of the empty holes to tension the trigger spring, you can do this a simple with a screwdriver. ps The nut must be in the correct position.

The string of the bow was tensioned by a system of two levers with rope, pulleys and hooks mounted at the rear of the stock.

best,

fernando · 28th May 2022, 04:30 PM

Ah ... betrayed by the absence of the so called English Windlass

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Excelent ID and comprehensive info, Jasper

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CSinTX · 28th May 2022, 06:47 PM

I was able to get it weighed and measured.

Weight- 7.1kg
Overall length- 104cm
Width across the bow- 84cm
Thickness of bow where it enters the block- 1.25cm

This seems really massive and powerful just to shoot targets? A waste of resources in building. And a whole lot of extra work cocking it and just handling it in general.

Jasper, would you be able to get similar pictures with measurements of the one you posted?

Thanks!

28th May 2022, 01:29 AM	#1
CSinTX Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 233	A Heavy Weight Crossbow More than two years, and I have now caught covid for the first time. Not being one to just sit around, a couple motrin and out to take some pictures of a crossbow Ive had for a while. I dont know a lot about it except it's big and heavy. I think for castle defense? Approximate age? Does anyone know of similar examples? Period art work? What time period were the four pins used to secure the parts? I think the string is likely a replacement? What would the empty holes in the top be for? Is the trigger in its original configuration or would it have been fired with a lever when first made? Lots of pictures! Thanks a bunch! Attached Images

28th May 2022, 01:30 AM	#2
CSinTX Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 233	. Attached Images

28th May 2022, 01:10 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Interesting item indeed, Casey. What do you understand as big and heavy; can you tell its length and weight ? Somehow it looks like this target example from the second half 17th century. Only that this one's stock length measures 935 milimeters and weighs 5 190 grams. Can you take a picture of yours in the same position as this one i show? Just curious to know how 'different' they are . . Attached Images

28th May 2022, 03:42 PM	#5
cornelistromp Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1,058	It is a Flemish/Dutch target crossbow from the beginning of the 18th century. It is not a combat bow to defend a castle. With this crossbow, competitions were held, targets in the form of a wooden rooster were shot. The winner was named "Gilde Koning" and was allowed to wear a silver chain with a King's bird as recognition for the coming year. A round pin is pressed in one of the empty holes to tension the trigger spring, you can do this a simple with a screwdriver. ps The nut must be in the correct position. The string of the bow was tensioned by a system of two levers with rope, pulleys and hooks mounted at the rear of the stock. best, Attached Images Last edited by cornelistromp; 28th May 2022 at 04:03 PM.

28th May 2022, 06:47 PM	#7
CSinTX Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 233	I was able to get it weighed and measured. Weight- 7.1kg Overall length- 104cm Width across the bow- 84cm Thickness of bow where it enters the block- 1.25cm This seems really massive and powerful just to shoot targets? A waste of resources in building. And a whole lot of extra work cocking it and just handling it in general. Jasper, would you be able to get similar pictures with measurements of the one you posted? Thanks! Attached Images

28th May 2022, 01:48 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,291	CS, have you searched the term 'crossbow' here for posts by matchlock?

28th May 2022, 04:30 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Ah ... betrayed by the absence of the so called English Windlass . Excelent ID and comprehensive info, Jasper .