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Title
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Halbe Rüstung mit farbig gefasstem Reliefdekor, 16th Century
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HCA Identifier
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Document Number/Property ID: MI007672
Inventory number: W 1132
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Collection Location
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Deutches Historisches Museum.
Collection: Militaria/1
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Date
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made in 1567
modified in 1656 and in the 19th century
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Location
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Southern Germany (Holy Roman Empire at the time of the crossbow's manufacture)
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Description
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At the tip of the crossbow, there is a small gilded suspension ring. The steel prod is covered in leather which is painted with hunting scenes. It has a safety cord which serves to prevent the pieces of the prod from flying off and injuring someone in the event that the prod breaks. The prod also bears its bowstring, which features cockscombing. The prod connects to the stock with bindings made of hemp cord. There are pom-poms attached to the bindings. Nearby, on the topside of the stock, there is a bolt rest. The number “1567” is engraved into the stock in front of it. In the same area on the underside of the crossbow, there is the number “1656.”
The surface of the wooden stock is covered with plates made of deer antler. These plates are finely engraved and most areas are painted colorfully. These decorations will be described in more detail in a section below.
This crossbow has a four-axle lock system. The nut is held in place by a “nussfaden” or nut thread. The trigger appears to be a hair trigger. The trigger guard is wrapped in cord and has a pom-pom on it.
On the butt of the crossbow, there is a gilded lion’s head.
In terms of decoration, the crossbow depicts many engraved and/or painted scenes from the Bible and from classical mythology. On the right side, nearer the prod, there is a scene from the Wedding at Cana (figures seated around a table, and a figure refilling large jars). Farther down the stock, there is a hunting scene in a forest (hunting dogs, a standing figure with a spear, and a figure on horseback with a spear, and a bear). On the left side, nearer the prod, there is a scene from the Old Testament - King David watching Bathsheba bathe. Farther down the stock, there is a hunting scene in a forest with two people, two hogs, and hunting dogs. A person spears one of the hogs. Farther down, there is another hunting scene. A stag nudges a figure behind a tree while an archer looks on. The final scene is from classical mythology. It shows the goddess Diana and some nymphs bathing. Diana is turning the voyeuristic Actaeon into a stag. This scene covers the part of the stock which becomes the cheek rest.
The lengthwise edges of the stock are covered with unpainted engraved strips of antler or bone, depicting a pattern reminiscent of scales or leaves.
Although not visible in the photos, the sources describe the top and bottom of the stock.
The topside of the stock depicts masks, fruits, and flowers, as well as a scene from the Old Testament (Adam and Eve by the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil), as well as a scene with a female figure and foliage. The underside of the stock depicts birds, flowers, tendrils, and scrollwork.
The book “Die Armbrust” mentions an inventory book which indicates that the crossbow was repaired by someone from the Hänisch family in the 19th century, and they added or replaced the bindings, string (the bowstring or the safety cord is not specified), and the lion’s head on the butt.
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Source
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Sven, Lüker, and Jens Sensfelder. Die Armbrust: Schrecken und Schönheit [The Crossbow: Terror and Beauty]. Münich: Hirmer, 2020.
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Basic Measurements:
Length: 65 cm
Width (length of prod): 58.5 cm
Weight: 3.98 kg
Detailed Measurements:
Total string length: 585 mm
String length: approx. 540 mm
Middle prod cross-section: 45 mm x 14 mm
Outer prod cross-section: 28 mm x 9 mm
String position: approx. 82 mm
String diameter: 11 mm (S) .5 mm (Z)
Total length of the crossbow: 650 mm
Stock length: 641 mm
Prod - lock: 198 mm
Stock cross-section at the prod: 61 mm x 36 mm
Stock cross-section at the lock: 56 mm x 67 mm
Stock cross-section at the butt: 56-40 mm x 42 mm
Nut diameter and width: 36 mm x 34 mm
Width of the trigger lever: 8.8 mm
Diameter of the bridling: 5 mm (S) / .8 mm (Z)
Weight: 3.98 kg
