17th century Low countries crossbow with windlass

[Marcus den toom]

This is an item i just wanted to have had in my collection, eventhough it is not my collection area at all.
Meaning as well that this is something i know little about.
Hope to learn more here

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=crossbow

[Lansquenet59]

Hi ,

It is very beautiful . Is it a reproduction or original? Can someone say more?

[corrado26]

I think that this is very nice original with exception of the ropes which certainly have been replaced

[cornelistromp]

an authentic Target crossbow with so called English windlass with spoked wheels , the Nethelands first half - Mid 18th Century.

are there any marks on the bow? bull's head or rooster with stars.

best,
Jasper

attached one from my collection.

[Lansquenet59]

Is it more military or for hunting?

[cornelistromp]

neither

this target crossbow is for practicing, on a crossbow shooting range.
Those shooting ranges (Doelen) stems from the training grounds for the dutch militia. probably founded in the 14thc onwards.

Militia/civic guards as seen on Rembrandt's masterpiece the night watch.
There were seperate Doelen for crossbows, for the longbow archery, and for matchlock firearms/muskets.

These civic guards were established probably between the 11th and 13th centuriy. The first archers' guilds "sheltered" the bourgeoisie, but their duties were later expanded with the defense of walls and canals.

From the 16th century the guild lost its military function, but it continued to exist as a relaxation shooting club for the elite.



best,
Jasper

[corrado26]

............and here a further piece of the Netherlands
corrado26