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Title
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Steel crossbow and corresponding windlass
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HCA Identifier
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ARB-0000-001-1 (crossbow) and ARB-0000-001-2 (windlass)
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Collection Location
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Périgord, southern France
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Date
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c. 17th century
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Location
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Germanic
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Description
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This crossbow has a single foot metal stirrup, with no transverse pin in sight. The thick metal bow has a simple shape and does not appear to bear any craftsman's mark. The accompanying windlass is held in place by a system of metal wedges in the stock.
The stock is plain, with the only decorations being brass plates cut to represent a griffin on either side of the nut, most likely serving as part of the nussfaden. A small brass plate in the shape of a spike on top of the stock, preceded by two small bone inlays.
The nut is made of deer antler, reinforced with an iron insert. It is surrounded at the front and rear by two plates, also made of deer antler. The trigger, made of ferrous alloy, has a simple shape.
The muzzle has a pulley-hook assembly with no decoration, except for small trefoils adorning the ends of the rods holding the pulleys. The pulleys themselves are made of brass or copper alloy. One of the two small ones has been damaged, and the rod holding it has been repaired with brass solder. The cranks are unadorned. At least one of the two wooden handles has been replaced, suggesting this crossbow has been constantly maintained over the years. The windlass housing has a cut-out candle pattern and is framed by two metal pulleys for interfacing. It is possible that the windlass and the crossbow form a composite unit together.
Materials: wood, antler, ferrous alloy, brass, bone, plant fibers
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Source
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Château de Castelnaud
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Link:
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Data and images courtesy of:
https://castelnaud.omeka.net/items/show/6
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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95.1 cm (length of crossbow without stock)
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Crossbow Side Measurements
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65.6 cm (span of bow)
