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Title
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A Saxon Renaissance crossbow with bone inlays
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Collection Location
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Private collection
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Date
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c. 1600s
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Location
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Saxony
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Description
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Featuring a heavy steel prod painted green on the inside, a clover mark is stamped on the right. The original bridle (with traces of gilding on yellow ground) and original knotted hemp string are both remaining taut. Decorations of green wool pompoms are slightly discolored from age. A tiller of finely grained brown wood is put underneath the belly of the bow, and the top and chamfered edges applied with engraved bone (polished staghorn), carved with volutes and floral motifs (rubbed). The underside is entirely applied with yellowish horn, with a butt cap of black-brown horn. The front three lock axles and cranequin lug are set within bone rosettes. The original antler nut is secured with thread and the nut thread is covered with a leather nussfaden. A multi-axle lock can be seen next to the hair set trigger with adjustable folding trigger, protected by a ridged iron trigger guard (the tiller inside is supported by an inconspicuously placed spring to maintain tension), while decorated with ivory inlays for each axle. A transverse pin is present near the rear for cranequin interfacing.
Hermann Historica notes that this is a used long crossbow ("halbe Rüstung") in fine overall condition with an exceptional amount of original substance.
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Source
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Hermann Historica
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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59cm
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Crossbow Side Measurements
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59cm
