A Heavy Weight Crossbow

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!

cornelistromp · 29th May 2022, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CSinTX

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!

sorry to re-confirm but it is 100% a Dutch Flemish target crossbow.

Mine the one on the pictures is even a bit "stronger"
lenght 97cm
width bow 90cm
thickness of bow @ block 2cm!

They are massive and had to be strong to shoot a rooster from a tower from a relatively large distance.

These ironbows were often marked, a small mark 3-4mm was struck in the bow , are there some remains to be found a bull's head or rooster or 5 pointed star or something else ?
best,
Jasper

fernando · 29th May 2022, 10:16 AM

Long time i dream of having a (earlier) crossbow. I realize that, if they ever show up, would cost a fortune.

Here for your entertainment, Casey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMoL_SBD6gw

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BUCC_Guy · 29th May 2022, 01:07 PM

I’ve got nothing to add that hasn’t been covered wonderfully above, except that the trigger mechanism with faux lever appears to be a dead giveaway of being a target model, my guess is 18th century.

What I find most appealing is that I see no reason to believe it’s Victorian, and it’s an excellent form for wall-hanging.

I’ve been on the lookout for a crossbow for an open spot on my wall, unfortunately I owe the demons at Hermann Historica an unfortunate amount of money at the moment. They are a nightmare to deal with.

There’s been a shortage of interesting crossbows at auction the last few years, with the exception the occasional bone-inlay piece.

Edit: My crossbow exposure is based on auctions and sales only. I have no authoritative texts, and my opinion means nothing.

CSinTX · 29th May 2022, 03:50 PM

Thanks everyone for your input.

I can't find the remnants of any markings. I think it would show with the condition of the steel.

I also have to say, the metal work on it just seems older than 18th century.

CSinTX · 29th May 2022, 04:04 PM

I spent a lot of time searching images yesterday and this is the closest similar example I can find. From a museum in Ghent. They describe it as 16th Century. It has the same trigger mechanism.

https://stamgent.be/nl_be/collectie/kunstwerken/09107

28th May 2022, 06:47 PM	#2
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

29th May 2022, 10:16 AM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Long time i dream of having a (earlier) crossbow. I realize that, if they ever show up, would cost a fortune. Here for your entertainment, Casey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMoL_SBD6gw . Attached Images

29th May 2022, 04:04 PM	#7
CSinTX Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 233	I spent a lot of time searching images yesterday and this is the closest similar example I can find. From a museum in Ghent. They describe it as 16th Century. It has the same trigger mechanism. https://stamgent.be/nl_be/collectie/kunstwerken/09107 Attached Images

28th May 2022, 04:30 PM	#1
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 .

29th May 2022, 01:07 PM	#5
BUCC_Guy Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Tennessee, USA Posts: 52	I’ve got nothing to add that hasn’t been covered wonderfully above, except that the trigger mechanism with faux lever appears to be a dead giveaway of being a target model, my guess is 18th century. What I find most appealing is that I see no reason to believe it’s Victorian, and it’s an excellent form for wall-hanging. I’ve been on the lookout for a crossbow for an open spot on my wall, unfortunately I owe the demons at Hermann Historica an unfortunate amount of money at the moment. They are a nightmare to deal with. There’s been a shortage of interesting crossbows at auction the last few years, with the exception the occasional bone-inlay piece. Edit: My crossbow exposure is based on auctions and sales only. I have no authoritative texts, and my opinion means nothing.

29th May 2022, 03:50 PM	#6
CSinTX Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 233	Thanks everyone for your input. I can't find the remnants of any markings. I think it would show with the condition of the steel. I also have to say, the metal work on it just seems older than 18th century.