Vintage Backyard Crossbows!

[Robert]

Hello, What do you make the age of this to be and is it a reproduction or the real thing? It looks to be in good enough condition that if you restrung it and had a couple of bolts laying around that you could fire it.

Robert

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Robert Coleman

Hello, What do you make the age of this to be and is it a reproduction or the real thing? It looks to be in good enough condition that if you restrung it and had a couple of bolts laying around that you could fire it.

Robert

Hi Robert,
I really don't know much about it. I bought it about 10 years ago, I cleaned it up as it was quite rusty and shabby, and its been in a cupboard ever since.
I assume that it dates to somewhere between 1920-1960 and was for a bit of fun in the garden.

Its quite attractive, but rather simply constructed, simple steel parts held in with pins not screws.
Possibly a childs 'toy'. It would fire if I got it strung. It's 50lb+ so would definately hurl a bolt a fair way.

Regards
Gene

[Pukka Bundook]

It's a stone-bow, isn't it Gene?

I'd say more like the 20's than much later. but I'm only guessing!!

Looks nicely made and should work very well I should think.

Richard.

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Pukka Bundook

It's a stone-bow, isn't it Gene?

I'd say more like the 20's than much later. but I'm only guessing!!

Looks nicely made and should work very well I should think.

Richard.

Hi Richard,

I dont know, it might be a stone bow, it has the curving stock, but it has a slot for what must be a bolt at either side of the curve and I guess I just don't know enough about them to be sure either way! lol
The prod is weird in as much as it has slotted ends rather than a central pin.

I'm surprised that others haven't picked up similar pieces and joined this discussion! I bet some of our more errr 'established' members may have had them as children!

Regards
Gene

[katana]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

.........The prod is weird in as much as it has slotted ends rather than a central pin.....

Regards
Gene

Hi Gene,
nice object ....I think the curved, slotted ends allow movement of the 'string' as the angle changes, with the draw and release of the prod.
I'm thinking a 'nipple' type arrangement (like a motor bike cable) but at both ends, if that is the case, some sort of 'industrial' manufacture seems likely.
One of my 'to do' lists includes trying to make a traditional crossbow. was originally thinking of forging a steel prod (once I've made my forge....that's also on the 'to do' list ) But recently acquired 24" of buffalo horn .....so now toying with the idea of a 'composite' prod .....horn, wood and sinew.....

I think 50lbs draw is easily suitable for small game. My compound bow's draw weight is around 50lbs and would send an arrow approx. 230 feet per second ….I would expect a bolt / quarrel to have a similar speed at the same draw weight

Regards David

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by katana

Hi Gene,
nice object ....I think the curved, slotted ends allow movement of the 'string' as the angle changes, with the draw and release of the prod.
I'm thinking a 'nipple' type arrangement (like a motor bike cable) but at both ends, if that is the case, some sort of 'industrial' manufacture seems likely.
One of my 'to do' lists includes trying to make a traditional crossbow. was originally thinking of forging a steel prod (once I've made my forge....that's also on the 'to do' list ) But recently acquired 24" of buffalo horn .....so now toying with the idea of a 'composite' prod .....horn, wood and sinew.....

I think 50lbs draw is easily suitable for small game. My compound bow's draw weight is around 50lbs and would send an arrow approx. 230 feet per second ….I would expect a bolt / quarrel to have a similar speed at the same draw weight

Regards David

Hi David,

Yeah, LOL, V short motorcycle cable! that would probobly do the trick!
To be honest, 50lb is plenty at short ranges if you're using sharp tips. I would never hunt, but I'm sure most creatures could be killed with it, even lightly armoured (padded/leather/ even banded) people would likely receive a potentially fatal wound at closer ranges

I had a barnett with a 150lb hernia inducing prod on it, and it would put a 14" bolt with a standard target point about 2" into the face of a seasoned elm log at 70m.

How about using a layer from a salvaged truck leaf spring for your prod. Cut the 'ties' and you should be able to prize them apart, then shape with a grinder!

You're horn would be perfect for inlay on the stock?

I must admit I think steel prods are best. Composite and fibreglass are far too prone to spectacular failures!

I've got a huge steel proded vintage medieval style xbow in the loft that I've always wanted to 'rebuild' into a more gothic style.
I'll try and dig it out later as I've got to get up there.
If I can I'll add some pictures

Cheers bud,
Gene

[Atlantia]

This one's quite interesting. Again, I bought it in the late 90s, rusty asnd dirty, cleaned it up and had it on display for a while. The other half at the time didn't really like 'too many' weapons on display so its been in the loft for several years!

Its BIG as you can see from the 30cm ruler by it.

I'll let the pictures show it: