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Title
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Late 16th century Hunting Crossbow
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Collection Location
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Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England
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Date
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c. 1590
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Location
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Germany
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Description
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This crossbow has a steel bow and etched with relief patterns of mask and foliage through a process involving acid. There is a steel coiled stirrup and rope string attached to the bow. The top of the wooden stock is composed of a staghorn panel and decorated with detailed leaf designs and intricate rhythmic vines of foliage. The cheek rest also contains a similar decoration. There are triangular patterns on the side of the stock, and a steel transverse pin is visible. The trigger mechanism is similar to the bow as it is also made of steel and engraved with floral reliefs. There appears to be no rear sight and the nut lock seems to be composed of wood or staghorn. According to the museum website, this is an example of a crossbow mostly used for hunting by central European nobles in the sixteenth century.
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Source
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Victoria and Albert Museum
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Length: 68.8cm
Width: 64.1cm
Depth: 12.5cm
Weight: 2.52kg
