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Title
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Large Italian Pellet Crossbow, 18th Century
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Collection Location
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Unknown (private collection)
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Date
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18th century
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Location
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Italy
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Description
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The crossbow is tipped with an eight-sided spike. Nearby, there is a sight made of two sticks, between which a string would be tied. The prod is made of wrought iron, with a bowstring made of braided hemp cord. Bow irons would have originally secured the prod to the stock, but the bow irons have come loose. The stock is relatively plain. It is made of dark-colored wood, possibly rosewood. It is four-sided, as is common among pellet crossbows. On the top of the stock, there is a metal sight, lightly decorated, in the shape of an arch. The trigger is the lever type. The hook, sight, and trigger are all likely iron. The stock ends in a knob, which has a piece missing.
The crossbow is decorated with golden filament, of which traces remain. Those traces are visible at the front of the crossbow on the eight-sided spike and on the small strip of metal supporting the sight made of two sticks. Traces are also visible on the stock near the hook and near the axle on which the hook turns, as well as on the trigger.
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Source
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Drouot Estimations
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Length: 97.9 cm (about 3 ft 3 in)
Width (length of prod): 55.7 cm (about 1 ft 10 in)
