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Title
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Late 16th Century German Crossbow
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HCA Identifier
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A1037
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Date
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Late 16th century
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Location
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Germany
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Description
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"Crossbow, the bow of steel with loop for suspension above; it is bound to the stock with plaited cord decorated with the remains of silk tassels of dark blue or green; bow-string of twisted cord.
Bulky stock or tiller of light wood, resembling pear-wood, the sides inlaid with mother-of-pearl and veneered on the upper and undersides with antler, rather crudely engraved with figures of crossbowmen: one shooting at a popinjay, another spanning a crossbow with a cranequin, and on the sides are inlaid figures shooting at ground game; upon the butt-plate is the figure of a lady seated, and there are numerous masks, heads and bands of ornament. The fore-sight does not permit of transverse movement, and there is a hinged aperture-backsight of steel which can be adjusted both vertically and horizontally; horn nut over which a spring of horn is fitted– the use of this was to prevent the bow-string slipping off the quarrel when it was strung; steel pin for the claw of the cranequin, hinged trigger, safety-catch and trigger-guard."
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Source
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Collection The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Length: 69 cm
Span: 65.4 cm
Weight: 4.43 kg
