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Title
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Hunting Crossbow with Cranequin, 17th Century
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Collection Location
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Museum of the Company of Old Crossbowmen of Visé (Musée de la Compagnie des Anciens Arbalétriers Visétois), Rue Haute 46, 4600 Visé, Belgium
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Date
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17th century
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Location
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Germany
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Description
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At the tip of this crossbow, there is a small suspension ring. The prod is steel and bindings secure it to the stock. There are red pompoms attached to the bindings - four in all. The stock is made of fruitwood. The top and bottom are plated with white bone. The fruitwood is visible on the sides.
The nut is made of bone. There is a nussfadden or “nut thread,” made of hemp, which ensures the nut does not fall off the crossbow. The trigger is metal and is in the form of a lever. There is a safety mechanism as well.
This weapon would be spanned with a cranequin, as shown in the photos. The cranequin shown is relatively plain, with a decorative twist in the metal rod that connects to the handle. The handle itself is covered by wood.
The Museum notes that this crossbow would have been used to hunt big game.
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Source
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Information and images courtesy of the Museum of the Royal Company of Old Crossbowmen of Visé (Musée de la Compagnie Royale des Anciens Arbalétriers Visétois), through their publication "Saint Georges & l'arbalète," or "Saint George & the Crossbow."
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Length (of stock): 72 cm
Width (length of prod): 76 cm
Weight: 4.9 kg
