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Title
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1629 German Hunting Crossbow
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Collection Location
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M.298-1919
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Date
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1629
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Location
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Saxony, Germany
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Description
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This German hunting crossbow has a stock made of ebony and engraved antler. The length of the stock is inlaid with antler carvings of hunters and various kinds of forest animals such as deer. These scenes are completed with stylized foliage setting the figures in a natural space. The top and bottom of the stock are paneled with antler and engraved with delicate foliage and florals. On the underside of the stock, just below the lock the letters “L.D.M” are prominently engraved and described by the Museum to be the stockmaker’s mark. Below the letters, further engravings resembling feathers, leaves or flames can be observed. On the top of the stock, the space around the lock is carved with highly detailed foliage. The steel trigger guard, bolt clip and rear sight are etched with foliage and floral patterns. As described by the Museum, the steel prod has the fabric remnants of the fabric that would have once been added for decoration.
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Source
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Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Tiller length: 64.0cm
Bow width: 54.5cm
Tiller width: 7.0cm (widest part)
Base of trigger to top of tiller height: 12.2cm
Weight: 3.42kg
