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Title
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Crossbow with Windlass, 15th-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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15th to 17th centuries
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Location
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Continental Europe
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Description
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The metal prod is attached to the wooden stock with bow irons.
The nut is made of bone.
There is a wooden support underneath the crossbow, carved in the shape of a lion and attached to the stock with steel plates. The steel plates form delicate decorative designs. There is a flower carved into the lion support by the lion’s back leg.
On the side of the stock, above the trigger, there is an eight-pointed star of bone inlay.
The trigger is in the form of a metal lever with decorative ridges and a small knob on the end.
The Museum notes that crossbows of this type were often retrofitted with double set triggers. This sort of crossbow would have been used for target shooting or for war. They were popular amongst the armed sworn confraternities and among noblemen. This type of crossbow is still called a confraternity crossbow, or “arbalète de confrérie,” according to the Museum.
It is worth noting that the photos provided do not show the whole crossbow.
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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: 86 cm
Width (length of prod): 64 cm
Weight: 3.1 kg (with windlass)
