-
Title
-
Carved Stirrup Crossbow, 15th Century
-
HCA Identifier
-
F 0512
-
Collection Location
-
Geneva, Switzerland
-
Date
-
mid 15th century (second third of the 15th century)
-
Location
-
Switzerland (possibly Fribourg)
-
Description
-
The tips of the composite bow have notches meant to hold the now-missing bowstring. The bow was covered in birchbark with a fish skin pattern pressed into it, though little remains of it now. It helped to protect the composite bow from humidity. Bindings attach the stirrup to the bow and proceed through a hole in the stock, keeping them all firmly in place. On the side of the stock near the bindings, there is a gothic E, likely a maker's mark or owner's mark. The stock is beautifully carved with unique curved ridges. The museum says that these interact specially with the cranequin. The wooden nut is a reproduction.
-
Source
-
Art and History Museum of Geneva (MAH: Musée d'art et d'histoire à Genève)
Bought from the Arsenal of Fribourg in 1887
-
Crossbow Top Measurements
-
Length (stock length): 74.5 cm (about 2 ft 5 in)
Width (bow length): 69 cm (about 2 ft 3 in)
-
Crossbow Side Measurements
-
Height: 12.6 cm (about 5 in)
Weight: 2.820 kg (about 6 lbs 4 oz)
