A unique crossbow collection

Matchlock · 3rd November 2008, 06:00 PM

This belongs to a friend of mine and contains only the finest stuff, such as three Gothic crossbows with horn composite bows, one of them, the earliest, of. ca. 1430, coming from the famous Harold L. Peterson collection and being illustrated in his Book of the Gun. Another, the shortest, made in about 1530, comes from the collection of the Dukes of Brunswick. It is certainly one of the latest composite bows made. The huge Gothic crossbow, its tiller almost completely veneered with white bone plaques, is an abolutely fantastic and important piece of ca. 1500-10.

My friend built a room in the Gothic taste for his collection, using 500 year old furniture and fittings. The atmosphere the ensemble conveys, including that very special smell that only extremely old things have, is absolutely overwhelming. When you enter the room you feel like being on a journey back to the Middle Ages right away.
Here are a few impressions of the arrangement plus some details of special pieces - enjoy!

The especially fine and unique painted quarrel casket dated 1524 was in the famous Vienna collection of Albert Figdor about 100 years ago.

Some of the quarrels even have painted hafts and fletches. You will remember the incendiary arrows from my former post on this subject.

Many of the cranequins are dated; the dates range from 1504 (the oldest known dated cranequin in the world!) over 1532 (both formerly in my collection), 1538, 1540 and 1545 (I may be mixing up two dates). There is also a fine cranequin of ca. 1550, etched overall with animals and hunting scenes amidst foliage.

A very rare 15th century quiver for quarrels is covered with pigskin and a fine tubular quiver for arrows, South Tyrol, early 16th century, is covered with painted leather and iron mounted.

The black pavise bears the Nuremberg coat of arms both painted on the obverse and branded as a proof mark at the reverse - see details.

I must say that I am very proud of the fact that I became both his friend and adviser and that some of his fine pieces were in my collection before I had to concentrate on firearms.

Michael

Matchlock · 3rd November 2008, 06:18 PM

Some details of the the tiller of the large Gothic crossbow of ca. 1500-10, veneered with white bone plaques, and more ...

Matchlock · 3rd November 2008, 06:29 PM

More ...

fernando · 3rd November 2008, 06:22 PM

Hi Michael,
There are no words to express the correct admiration for such scenery.
If i ever entered this room, my eye balls would pop out.
Fernando

Matchlock · 3rd November 2008, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Hi Michael,
There are no words to express the correct admiration for such scenery.
If i ever entered this room, my eye balls would pop out.
Fernando

Mine do each time anew, Fernando!

More to come ...

Michael

Matchlock · 3rd November 2008, 06:55 PM

And more ...

The bundle of quarrels bound with an old cord respresent a true sensation:

The accompaying document of 1858 states that they are six of 10,000, found in a ruined section of the former city arsenal in Bamberg/Franconia. The text further cites that in 1435, 10,000 war quarrels were made in Bamberg and the city archive even records the names of the makers and what they got paid!!!

A detailed image shows the singular condition of some quarrel heads retaining much of their original fire blued or blackened surface.

Michael

Matchlock · 3rd November 2008, 07:09 PM

And more ...

Matchlock · 3rd November 2008, 08:08 PM

BTW, that fine Gothic halberd is now in my collection.

I posted it in my thread on halberds.

Michael

3rd November 2008, 06:00 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A unique crossbow collection This belongs to a friend of mine and contains only the finest stuff, such as three Gothic crossbows with horn composite bows, one of them, the earliest, of. ca. 1430, coming from the famous Harold L. Peterson collection and being illustrated in his Book of the Gun. Another, the shortest, made in about 1530, comes from the collection of the Dukes of Brunswick. It is certainly one of the latest composite bows made. The huge Gothic crossbow, its tiller almost completely veneered with white bone plaques, is an abolutely fantastic and important piece of ca. 1500-10. My friend built a room in the Gothic taste for his collection, using 500 year old furniture and fittings. The atmosphere the ensemble conveys, including that very special smell that only extremely old things have, is absolutely overwhelming. When you enter the room you feel like being on a journey back to the Middle Ages right away. Here are a few impressions of the arrangement plus some details of special pieces - enjoy! The especially fine and unique painted quarrel casket dated 1524 was in the famous Vienna collection of Albert Figdor about 100 years ago. Some of the quarrels even have painted hafts and fletches. You will remember the incendiary arrows from my former post on this subject. Many of the cranequins are dated; the dates range from 1504 (the oldest known dated cranequin in the world!) over 1532 (both formerly in my collection), 1538, 1540 and 1545 (I may be mixing up two dates). There is also a fine cranequin of ca. 1550, etched overall with animals and hunting scenes amidst foliage. A very rare 15th century quiver for quarrels is covered with pigskin and a fine tubular quiver for arrows, South Tyrol, early 16th century, is covered with painted leather and iron mounted. The black pavise bears the Nuremberg coat of arms both painted on the obverse and branded as a proof mark at the reverse - see details. I must say that I am very proud of the fact that I became both his friend and adviser and that some of his fine pieces were in my collection before I had to concentrate on firearms. Michael Attached Images

3rd November 2008, 06:18 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Some details of the the tiller of the large Gothic crossbow of ca. 1500-10, veneered with white bone plaques, and more ... Attached Images

3rd November 2008, 06:29 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	More ... Attached Images

3rd November 2008, 06:55 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	And more ... The bundle of quarrels bound with an old cord respresent a true sensation: The accompaying document of 1858 states that they are six of 10,000, found in a ruined section of the former city arsenal in Bamberg/Franconia. The text further cites that in 1435, 10,000 war quarrels were made in Bamberg and the city archive even records the names of the makers and what they got paid!!! A detailed image shows the singular condition of some quarrel heads retaining much of their original fire blued or blackened surface. Michael Attached Images

3rd November 2008, 07:09 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	And more ... Attached Images

3rd November 2008, 06:22 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Hi Michael, There are no words to express the correct admiration for such scenery. If i ever entered this room, my eye balls would pop out. Fernando

3rd November 2008, 08:08 PM	#8
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	BTW, that fine Gothic halberd is now in my collection. I posted it in my thread on halberds. Michael