Late Gothic Crossbows and Accouterments

Micke D · 8th June 2012, 09:58 AM

Hi Michael and all other crossbow friends!

I think I may finally have some time to check my files and post some, I hope at least, interesting Swedish crossbow stuff.

I’m beginning it with this late 15th century crossbow from the wooden parts of middle Sweden. It is from Skog parish in Hälsingland.
The crossbows of this type are all still of almost the same size and type as the long and slender 14th century crossbows. Its located today at Livrustkammaren in Stockholm, Sweden.

Micke Dahlström,
Stockholm LockbowSociety,
Sweden

Micke D · 8th June 2012, 01:44 PM

Hi again!

The second piece is this early – mid 16th century crossbow with a double axle lock, probably not a weapon made in Sweden, but an import from somewhere in Germany.

It’s a very special crossbow. It’s not a composite bow with horn, wood and sinew, but a wood and sinew only bow. I don’t know for sure, but I guess that the bow is made of yew wood.

The tiller is probably made in pear wood that is stained black to make more contrast to the long white horn/bone plates on the sides and top.

The string is not the original but the bolt clip could be genuine. The bow is not covered with the usual printed birch bark cover, except for the middle where scrap pieces of printed birch bark is used under the hemp string that binds the bow to the tiller. My guess is that stained parchment strips are glued to the bow as decoration. The parchment is only used over the sinew so the wood is fully visible at the back.

It is also located today at Livrustkammaren in Stockholm, Sweden.

Micke Dahlström,
Stockholm LockbowSociety,
Sweden

Matchlock · 8th June 2012, 01:56 PM

Hi Micke,

Great stuff, thank you so much!

I remembered the Livrustkammaren reserve collection!

It is especially astonishing to see the wooden bow and the crossbow that looks as if it were yet as early as ca. 1400, which of course it is not!

The bow decoration of the crossbow in post #149 much resembles that of a Romanian crossbow in the museum of Bukarest; see post #6.

Please hang on, Micke!

This thread achieved a remarkable number of views which proves that our work is much appreciated out there!

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 8th June 2012, 02:04 PM

For this unique piece, please see

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...bow+collection

!!!

8th June 2012, 01:44 PM	#2
Micke D Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 41	Hi again! The second piece is this early – mid 16th century crossbow with a double axle lock, probably not a weapon made in Sweden, but an import from somewhere in Germany. It’s a very special crossbow. It’s not a composite bow with horn, wood and sinew, but a wood and sinew only bow. I don’t know for sure, but I guess that the bow is made of yew wood. The tiller is probably made in pear wood that is stained black to make more contrast to the long white horn/bone plates on the sides and top. The string is not the original but the bolt clip could be genuine. The bow is not covered with the usual printed birch bark cover, except for the middle where scrap pieces of printed birch bark is used under the hemp string that binds the bow to the tiller. My guess is that stained parchment strips are glued to the bow as decoration. The parchment is only used over the sinew so the wood is fully visible at the back. It is also located today at Livrustkammaren in Stockholm, Sweden. Micke Dahlström, Stockholm LockbowSociety, Sweden Attached Images

8th June 2012, 01:56 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Micke, Great stuff, thank you so much! I remembered the Livrustkammaren reserve collection! It is especially astonishing to see the wooden bow and the crossbow that looks as if it were yet as early as ca. 1400, which of course it is not! The bow decoration of the crossbow in post #149 much resembles that of a Romanian crossbow in the museum of Bukarest; see post #6. Please hang on, Micke! This thread achieved a remarkable number of views which proves that our work is much appreciated out there! Best, Michael Last edited by Matchlock; 8th June 2012 at 03:10 PM.

8th June 2012, 02:04 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	One of the finest early cranequins in existence: a MASTERPIECE, Nuremberg, 1545! For this unique piece, please see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...bow+collection !!! Last edited by Matchlock; 8th June 2012 at 04:11 PM.

8th June 2012, 09:58 AM	#1
Micke D Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 41	Hi Michael and all other crossbow friends! I think I may finally have some time to check my files and post some, I hope at least, interesting Swedish crossbow stuff. I’m beginning it with this late 15th century crossbow from the wooden parts of middle Sweden. It is from Skog parish in Hälsingland. The crossbows of this type are all still of almost the same size and type as the long and slender 14th century crossbows. Its located today at Livrustkammaren in Stockholm, Sweden. Micke Dahlström, Stockholm LockbowSociety, Sweden Attached Images