Sharing another SE Asian tribal crossbow

wildwolberine · 5th January 2025, 01:36 AM

Sharing this new addition to my tribal crossbow collection. Likely Vietnam highlands, midcentury. Very dark, dense hardwood. The bow is D shaped in cross section (almost triangular, with a nearly flat belly) with tips slightly narrowed. Bow is held in place with multiple small bamboo wedges. Rattan bindings on one limb. Stock is made from the same hardwood. Based on the patina and solid construction I believe this was tribally used.

Interesting trigger mechanism - there is no slot carved into the underside of the stock. The trigger is an H shaped piece of buffalo horn. I believe it was operated by using the index finger along the right side of stock to pull the trigger. The cavity behind the trigger has been filled in with wax (I don’t know if this was done by the maker or a later owner, or what the purpose would be other than preventing the trigger from falling out).

I like it - string is missing but the fragile and often-lost trigger is intact. Not a lot of information out there about these interesting projectile weapons.

Width 110 cm
Length 52 cm
Bow is about 5 cm wide & 2 cm thick

5th January 2025, 01:36 AM	#1
wildwolberine Member Join Date: May 2023 Location: San Antonio Posts: 112	Sharing another SE Asian tribal crossbow Sharing this new addition to my tribal crossbow collection. Likely Vietnam highlands, midcentury. Very dark, dense hardwood. The bow is D shaped in cross section (almost triangular, with a nearly flat belly) with tips slightly narrowed. Bow is held in place with multiple small bamboo wedges. Rattan bindings on one limb. Stock is made from the same hardwood. Based on the patina and solid construction I believe this was tribally used. Interesting trigger mechanism - there is no slot carved into the underside of the stock. The trigger is an H shaped piece of buffalo horn. I believe it was operated by using the index finger along the right side of stock to pull the trigger. The cavity behind the trigger has been filled in with wax (I don’t know if this was done by the maker or a later owner, or what the purpose would be other than preventing the trigger from falling out). I like it - string is missing but the fragile and often-lost trigger is intact. Not a lot of information out there about these interesting projectile weapons. Width 110 cm Length 52 cm Bow is about 5 cm wide & 2 cm thick Attached Images