Iron and wood composite crossbow

Title

Iron and wood composite crossbow

HCA Identifier

E.1939.65.sx.[1]

Collection Location

Glasgow, Scottland

Date

c. mid 15th century

Location

Europe, North West Europe

Description

Having a one-foot stirrup-like mechanism in the front, it may not be a functional one. To support this theory, a bolt that resembles something a cranequin would use to hook onto is present near the trigger. The nussfaden is exposed, with no holes suggesting it had no cover on it originally. Elaborate plagues adorn both sides, with what seems to be ivory along the top of it. A gray decoration piece also runs across the length of the crossbow, rather than a singular color. It is well adorned with decorative imagery all across both sides, suggesting some sense of profile.

Of a type known as a composite bow, it is constructed of different substances. Wood (especially yew) is prevalent. This is reinforced with rams horn or baleen (a keratinous horn-like material from the mouths of larger species of whale) and sinew – records tell us this was from cattle and seals. This sandwich of materials was held together with fish glue and, if not varnished, then wrapped in parchment or birch bark painted with a chequered design (possibly to look like snakeskin). This method of composite construction was known in Europe from at least the 13th century. Although the stronger steel-bowed crossbow was increasing in popularity in Europe by the 15th century, it has been suggested that the composite bow was more pliable and less likely to fracture under pressure in certain conditions such as hunting in winter. A biographical account of German Emperor Maximilian has a woodcut showing him hunting chamois high in the Alps with this type of weapon. The lavish decoration on bows of this kind has led to the assumption that they were purely used for hunting. However, there is contemporary artwork showing beautifully decorated bows of this kind being used by soldiers.

The gracefully shaped tiller is tapered and thickened at the points were strength is most important. The bones of the animals it may have been used to hunt are used to decorate it. There is stag bone decoratively inlaid into the wood. Functional components such as the nut would also have been made from venery by-products. In 1225 an Englishman was ordered to hand over all the deer antlers in his forest to the king’s crossbowmaker.

Source

Glasgow Museums

Link:

Data and images courtesy of:
https://collections.glasgowmuseums.com/mwebcgi/mweb?request=record;id=242677;type=101#