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Title
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Small Crossbow, 16th-17th Century
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Collection Location
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Unknown (private collection)
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Date
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Late 16th century or 17th century.
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Location
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Unknown (European)
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Description
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Bindings secure the wrought iron prod to the wooden stock. The prod has a bowstring but it is not original. There is a metal catch. There appear to be engraved wooden plates on the topside of the stock, though the photo is not very detailed. The body of the stock is sinuous, swelling towards the centre near the catch area but thinning and becoming concave towards the cheek rest and butt. The sides of the stock are largely plain and undecorated, with the exception of the edges, where there are thin strips of bone.
The trigger system appears to be a hair trigger with a trigger guard in the shape of a lever.
Thierry de Maigret states that this crossbow would have been intended for use by a child or a woman. The bone plates on the stock are described as being engraved with foliage designs.
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Source
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Thierry de Maigret Commissaire-Priseur [Thierry de Maigret Auctioneer]
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Length: 49 cm
Width: 37.5 cm
