This crossbow features a thin, straight wooden stock and prod. The prod is attached horizontally through a rectangular slot cut near the front of the stock. A simple wooden lever trigger is mounted underneath the stock, secured with a visible pivot point. Materials/Media Wood Dimensions/Measurements Height: Height: 5.30 centimetres Weight: Weight: 555 grammes Width: Width: 72.20 centimetres Depth: Depth: 70.10 centimetres Other notes Purchased from: Prof Nicholas Tapp Purchased from: Khin Thitsa

This crossbow features a thick wooden stock shaped in a wave-like form. The front end of the stock is block-like in structure. A metal prod is fitted through a hole near the front of the stock. The lock mechanism is a double axle type, with visible components on the top surface. Beneath the stock, a metal trigger is mounted. The crossbow is strung with two bowstrings that are twisted together, creating a pattern similar to a double helix. Materials/Media Wood, hide skin, metal Dimensions/Measurements Height: Height: 8 centimetres Weight: Weight: 560 grammes Width: Width: 66 centimetres Depth: Depth: 52 centimetres Other notes Donated by: Capt A E Johnston, RN

This crossbow, made by the Mishmi, features a thin, straight wooden stock and a matching thin wooden prod. The prod is inserted through a hole near the front of the stock and is not supported by a bridle. A thin bowstring, believed to be made from elephant hair, is tied to the ends of the prod. A small bone trigger is mounted near the end of the stock. The crossbow was obtained from a Mishmi tribesman and is noted for its powerful performance, with the arrow flight described as faster than the eye can follow. Materials/Media Wood, bone, hair Dimensions/Measurements Height: Height: 8.50 centimetres Weight: Weight: 1.04 kilograms Width: Width: 126.50 centimetres Depth: Depth: 62 centimetres Other notes Purchased from Miss J Gough-Thomas

This crossbow is made entirely of wood and strung with vegetable fibre. The stock is thin and features a narrow groove running along its length. A small wooden axle mechanism is visible on the top of the stock near the butt end. The wooden prod is thin, and nearly straight in shape. Materials/Media Wood, fibre Dimensions/Measurements Height: 5.80 centimetres Weight: 625 grammes Width: 51.40 centimetres Depth: 117 centimetres Other notes Donated by: W Hanson Rawles

This crossbow features a thin wooden stock with what seems to be a metal axle mechanism positioned in the middle of the stock. The wooden prod is slightly broad and curved, tapering toward the ends. Materials/Media Wood, bone Dimensions/Measurements Height: 6.10 centimetres (cross-bow 1)(cross-bow 1) Height: 6.60 centimetres (cross-bow 2)(cross-bow 2) Weight: 480 grammes (cross-bow 1)(cross-bow 1) Weight: 735 grammes (cross-bow 2)(cross-bow 2) Width: 66 centimetres (cross-bow 1)(cross-bow 1) Width: 71.80 centimetres (cross-bow 2)(cross-bow 2) Depth: 83.40 centimetres (cross-bow 1)(cross-bow 1) Depth: 91.20 centimetres (cross-bow 2)(cross-bow 2) Other notes Donated by: Gathorne Gathorne-Hardy, 1st Earl of Cranbrook

From URL: Wooden crossbow with a light cane stock and a long cane barrel. The string, made of rattan, is broken. The prod is attached through the middle of the stock. A simple one-piece wooden trigger is mounted beneath the stock. Materials/Media Wood, fibre, cane, rattan Dimensions/Measurements Height: Height: 4 centimetres Weight: Weight: 114 grammes Width: Width: 85.60 centimetres Depth: Depth: 46 centimetres Other notes Donated by Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine

From URL: Wooden crossbow: circular stock with deep groove on the underside; twisted vegetable fibre string; leather carrying-sling thong and groove trigger release; short barrel through which bolt is directed. Materials/Media Wood, fibre Dimensions/Measurements Height: Height: 7.20 centimetres Weight: Weight: 755 grammes Width: Width: 71 centimetres Depth: Depth: 48.50 centimetres Other notes Donated by Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine

“A wooden repeating pellet crossbow designed to fire darts. The bow consists of two layers of wood with a twisted hide string. It features a deep chamber with no cut-off device, and a wedge for tightening the bow” (from URL). This is a Chu-ko-nu style crossbow. The thick, block-like stock and prod are complemented by a bracing piece at the butt for stabilization against the hip or torso during use. A chambered case is positioned on top, and a combination spanning and trigger mechanism lever is visible at the rear. The bowstring is made from twisted fiber or cord, with ends looped around the edges of the prod. Materials/Media Wood, skin, metal Dimensions/Measurements Height: Height: 15 centimetres Weight: Weight: 1.22 kilograms Width: Width: 59 centimetres Depth: Depth: 41 centimetres Other notes Donated by Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine

This Chu-ko-nu repeating pellet crossbow features a thick wooden stock and a thick wooden prod composed of two layers of wood. The prod is fitted into the stock through a rectangular hole. The bowstring is made of twisted hide. A grooved channel is present for directing pellets, and an automatic metal cut-off mechanism is partially visible. A combination spanning and trigger mechanism lever is mounted on top at the rear end of the crossbow. A wedge for tightening the prod in its socket is in place, while the cover for the chamber and the spring for the cut-off appear to be missing. Materials/Media Wood, skin, metal Dimensions/Measurements Height: Height: 9 centimetres Weight: Weight: 626 grammes Width: Width: 40.50 centimetres Depth: Depth: 35 centimetres Other notes Donated by Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine

This composite pellet crossbow features a wooden stock with a wave-like shape rather than a straight form, and a prod made of ____. A double string is fitted, incorporating a central pouch made of sinew for holding pellets. The trigger mechanism is made of bone and is mounted beneath the stock. Materials/Media Wood, bone, sinew, horn Dimensions/Measurements Height: Height: 10.50 centimetres Weight: Weight: 500 grammes Width: Width: 66.50 centimetres Depth: Depth: 54 centimetres Other notes Donated by Wellcome Institute for the History of Medicine

This crossbow is constructed from bamboo, rattan, wood, ivory, and vegetable fibre. The stock is thin and made of either bamboo or wood, with a visible trigger mechanism located near the butt end. The bamboo or wooden prod is longer and slightly thicker than the stock, and is almost straight in form. Ivory inlays are present on the inner side of the prod. Rattan bindings are spaced at intervals along the length of the prod. The bowstring is made of twisted vegetable fibre. Materials/Media Bamboo, rattan, wood, ivory, fibre Dimensions/Measurements Height: Height: 7 centimetres Weight: Weight: 1.19 kilograms Width: Width: 137.80 centimetres Depth: Depth: 48.30 centimetres Other notes Donated by: Maj J Hardcastle

This lightweight crossbow features a cylindrical bamboo stock with a rectangular cutout section near the front. A thin wooden prod is inserted horizontally through a hole in the bamboo stock. A narrow internal bamboo channel is visible within the cutout, likely for guiding projectiles. The bowstring is thin and seemd to be made of twisted fiber. A small rectangular hole is also present further back along the stock. Materials/Media Bamboo Dimensions/Measurements Height: Height: 4.20 centimetres Weight: Weight: 185 grammes Width: Width: 52.50 centimetres Depth: Depth: 54.40 centimetres