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Title
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Crossbow - Late 18th Century
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HCA Identifier
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XI.21
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Collection Location
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Collection Royal Armouries, Study Collection, Leeds, England
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Date
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Late 18th Century
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Location
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Flanders, Belgium
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Description
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This steel bow has an unusual construction as the stock is secured in place by brass cheeks. Its shape features components in the shape of a crocodile and lion with the fore-end being in the shape of a crocodile and the lion’s paws acting as a bending mechanism and lock action that keeps the bow drawn back and engaged. When the trigger is pulled the paws of the lion lift and the cord is released, firing the arrow. It is also inlaid with ivory and mother of pearl with an acorn ornament engraved in the inlay. This piece is incredibly decorated and shaped
implying that this crossbow was used either ceremonially, for hunting, or sport.
Materials/Media Steel, iron copper, and brass, mother of pearl, ivory
Other notes Displayed in the exhibit “Over and by Arches.”
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Source
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https://royalarmouries.org/collection/object/object-925
Collection Royal Armouries, Study Collection, Leeds, England
