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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 233
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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! |
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 233
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#3 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,284
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CS, have you searched the term 'crossbow' here for posts by matchlock?
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#4 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
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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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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,057
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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, Last edited by cornelistromp; 28th May 2022 at 04:03 PM. |
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#6 |
Lead Moderator European Armoury
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Portugal
Posts: 9,694
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Ah ... betrayed by the absence of the so called English Windlass
![]() Excelent ID and comprehensive info, Jasper ![]() |
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 233
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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! |
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