his toy crossbow is of North African origin from the Algeria Aurès Mountains and linked to the Chaouia Berbers ethnic group. It consists of a prod made from a curved wooden stick that passes through the stock, while the stock itself is made from carved wood. The top surface of the stock features a hollowed-out bolt channel made to hold the crossbow bolt in preparation for firing. The shape of the stock is slender toward the front and fans out at the butt of the stock. Carved into the surface of the stock is a small, dotted pattern. The trigger mechanism is made from carved wood. Length: max 670 mm, Depth: max 100 mm, Width: max 843 mm Materials: Material Wood Plant, Material Metal, Material String, Material Bamboo Plant, Process Carved, Process Perforated, Process Bound, Process Nailed

This crossbow originates from Germany and is dated to approximately 1480. It consists of a composite prod with remnants of birch bark that once entirely covered the prod, revealing the typical black and white dotted pattern that decorates it. The left side of the prod has been cut two times to be studied for research purposes, with the remaining pieces still with the crossbow. The stock is made from fruitwood and is inlaid with ivory. The sides of the stock feature a plated horn of a green colour and an ornate inlay decoration of a lily, while the top surface of the crossbow is entirely clad in polished antler plates. The cross section possesses a number of different coloured horn plates, including colours of brown, black, and green, all glued together. The sinew around the inner facing part of the prod is in an olive-green colour and has multiple layers. The lock mechanism has been reworked. The trigger lever of the crossbow and the transverse pin are made of metal, and the bridle cord, which binds the prod to the stock, is made of a plant fiber rope. Measurements: Overall cross section: 52 mm by 41 mm Horn core: 42 mm by 20 mm

This crossbow is dated to before 1934 and originates from the Nagaland region of India. The use of this crossbow is linked to the Chang Naga people. It consists of a short wooden stock that narrows toward the butt, while the butt of the stock contains a trigger mechanism made of wood. The prod is made from an extended piece of split bamboo with a faint curve and passes through the middle of the stock’s upper portion. The string, made from twisted plant fiber, is intact and attached to either end of the prod. Measurements: Height: max 56 mm, Width: max 362 mm, Length: max 1307 mm Materials: Material Wood Plant, Material Cane Plant, Material Plant Fibre Yarn, Material Bamboo Plant, Process Carved, Process Perforated, Process Split, Process Wound, Process Twisted

A Flemish target crossbow, likely a 19th-century replica, originating more broadly in Northern Europe. It features a slim wooden stock inlaid with bone and ivory plaques and an ornately carved image of a lion coat of arms on the side of the stock. The prod is made of steel. Located at the fore of the prod is a steel stirrup used to help the crossbowman span the weapon. Attached to the top of the stock is a spanning mechanism that is likely a moulinet—a transportable pulley instrument—or a windlass. The crossbow possesses a complicated origin, originally dated as a 15th or 16th century crossbow from Genoa, Italy. It was later reassessed as a 19th-century replica with a Northern European provenance due to recent scholarly inquiry placing the style and condition of the weapon to be inconsistent with the originally dated time period and provenance.

A wooden crossbow originating from India in the Kerala region. Its prod comprising two pieces of bent wood joined together bands made of cane plant and crosses through the upper portion of the stock. The stock is made of wood and widens towards its rear. Toward the end of the stock curved cylindrical trigger mechanism likely made of horn although this is uncertain. Width: max 1410 mm, Depth: max 60 mm, Length: max 715 mm

A wooden crossbow originating from Gabon in Central Africa and used by the Fang peoples. The prod is made of wood and crosses through the stock. The string of the bow is split away from the prod and kept attached to the stock using a metal wire. The stock itself is made of wood and is split down the middle with a round peg separating it. Length: max 1286 mm, Width: max 958 mm, Depth: max 55 mm

A crossbow, likely of European origin, although this is uncertain. It has a wooden prod that cuts through the middle of the crossbow. Its original bowstring is missing. The stock is made out of wood and features a metal barrel of copper alloy on the top of the stock. The butt of the stock widens in shape, flaring outwards in a similar resemblance to a musket or a rifle. Carved into the stock are the letters “A B.” Length: max 830 mm, Width: max 980 mm, Height: max 120 mm

An English sporting pellet crossbow with a wooden stock and a steel prod. The wooden stock is encased with steel and possesses a trigger mechanism that bares a similar resemblance to a goat’s foot lever. There is also a trigger guard set in place. The crossbow also features an adjustable foresight and a high backsight on a riveted plate with four pinholes in a vertical line. The name ‘Higham Warrington' is engraved on the backsight. The prod has a double bowstring and a pocket to hold the bullet in preparation of firing. Length 798 mm total, Length 805 mm total length of string, Weight 3160 g

A Chinese pellet composite crossbow that features a serpent like wooden stock. Attached to the prod is a double bow string with a pocket area for the pellet. It possesses a trigger lever that is made from bone. The front facing portion of the prod showcases a decorative floral pattern. Length: max 500 mm bow, Length: max 650 mm stock

A wooden crossbow of West African origin, specifically Nigeria. This crossbow was used by hunters of the Bini tribe (also known as the Edo people) of the Kingdom of Benin. Its prod is made of wood and traverses through the upper portion of the wooden stock. The bow string is made of plant fiber and is securely fixed in place behind a wooden peg. The stock is also ornately decorated with carvings in line and dot patterns and features a central groove for the crossbow bolts. Depth: max 87 mm, Width: max 466 mm, Length: max 792 mm

A pellet crossbow of European origin. It features a steel prod however its string is missing. Its foresight at the front of the prod is in a U-shaped with its backsight featuring three sight holes. The stock is made of wood and encased with steel to provide reinforcement. Additionally, the stock is also intricately decorated with inlays and carvings of ivory bone. As a part of its stock is a steel lever and release trigger mechanism in place for the firing of the crossbow. The butt of the crossbow is of a flat circular shape. Length: max 680 mm of stock, Length: max 500 mm of bow

A sporting crossbow likely originating from Germany. It likely was manufactured in Nuremberg as its makers mark bares similar resemblance to other crossbows of the same type that bore a Nuremberg city mark. The crossbow itself possesses a snap lock mechanism to hold the string in place known as a Schnepper. It features a steel prod with its original string in place, and its stock is inlaid with animal bone. At the butt of the crossbow is a concave cheek rest made for right-handed users. It also contains an intricate trigger mechanism with safety and cocking levers. At the fore of the crossbow are two woolen pompoms and a suspension ring used to hang up and store the crossbow. Length: max 600 mm of stock, Length: max 500 mm of bow, Weight 2900 g