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Title
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15th century Horn Inlaid Crossbow
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Collection Location
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National Military Museum, Soesterberg, Netherlands
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Date
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c. 1450-1500
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Location
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Unknown (Suspected to be Western Europe)
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Description
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This crossbow has a prod inlaid with horn and covered with parchment and an iron stirrup along with bridle binding made of rope. The stock is either made of applewood, pearwood or hawthorn with columns of birch bark underneath. According to the website, the bottom of the stock is decorated with dotted patterns and motifs of leaf tendrils. The top of the stock is inlaid with horn and bone and nut is made of bone resting atop the inlaid bone with the weapon having a one-axle lock mechanism. The nussfaden, made of chords, is visible in the image as well. The side of the stock engraved with a coat of arms and zodiac signs along with leaf tendrils and calyxes (a type of flower). It has a long trigger guard and trigger extending to the butt stock.
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Source
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National Military Museum
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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742 mm/Length of bow
631 m/Weight: 2.89 kilograms
