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Title
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A Swiss bone-inlaid crossbow with cranequin
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Collection Location
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Private collection
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Date
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c. 17th/19th century
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Location
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Swiss
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Description
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This crossbow has a sturdy firmly interlaced steel prod, and the manufacturer's stamp "J. Brutsche" showing twice on the upper edges. The hemp bowstring is secured with protective winding. The bellied tiller made of finely grained wood, the top and bottom veneered in polished staghorn, trimmed with accompanying strips of reddish brown wood. The nut is made of iron and secured with thread and a nussfaden to protect, a multi-channel lock and release mechanism built into the bow. The winding of the trigger guard and the safety string of the prod is made of red and white thread. The prod, string, nut, bolt channel, folding sight (aperture sight) and the wooden butt extension (stamped "23") all dated from the later periods of use. Moreover, the crossbow includes the associated, approximately 36 cm, intact rack-and-pinion cranequin, with an open housing at the top, three-spoke wheel, wooden handle, windlass, and belt hook.
Hermann Historica notes that complete crossbow of the half armour type with associated cranequin from a municipal Swiss crossbow shooting society, which used the weapon for many years and repeatedly repaired it. Similar crossbows can be found in the Swiss National Museum in Zurich.
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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60cm
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Crossbow Side Measurements
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78cm
