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Title
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18th Century English Crossbow
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HCA Identifier
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1907.10.63
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Collection Location
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Pitt Rivers Museum
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Date
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1800-1900
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Location
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England
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Description
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This crossbow is currently housed in the Pitt Rivers Museum and is dated between 1800-1900. The maker of the crossbow is unknown, but it most likely originated from the UK, particularly from England.
The crossbow features a black steel prod mounted transversely across the front of the stock, with two split points on either end. It also has a long wooden stock, enclosed in metal, with a central groove that guides the crossbow bolt and holds it in place for firing. There is also a cylindrical rolling nut that keeps the string in position until the trigger mechanism is activated. This nut is made from brass and is secured with a metal transverse pin. Additionally, the stock includes a large cheek rest, along with a rounded wooden butt at the rear. On the underside of the crossbow, there is a forged metal strap located equidistant between the butt and the front of the prod. The metal displays various designs, though they are hard to distinguish due to the low resolution of the image.
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Source
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Pitt Rivers Museum
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Width: 62.0 cm
Length: 65.5 cm
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Crossbow Side Measurements
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Height: 9.7 cm
