An English sporting pellet crossbow with a wooden stock and a steel prod. The wooden stock is encased with steel and possesses a trigger mechanism that bares a similar resemblance to a goat’s foot lever. There is also a trigger guard set in place. The crossbow also features an adjustable foresight and a high backsight on a riveted plate with four pinholes in a vertical line. The name ‘Higham Warrington' is engraved on the backsight. The prod has a double bowstring and a pocket to hold the bullet in preparation of firing.
Length 798 mm total, Length 805 mm total length of string, Weight 3160 g
The crossbow has a steel bow, steel stirrup, and a slender rosewood stock. It is missing the string, the prod binding, and the trigger mechanism, appearing to be in a damaged condition because of the rusted parts. It still retains the nut, and the patterned rear sight is folded over the lock. A single square-shaped bone plaque is fixed at the front of the stock, however, there are missing slots, indicating, there were more present prior. There is a brass thumb near the butt stock, and the auction website mentions there used to be a twisted brass wire under the stock, which is not visible in the image above.
This crossbow has a steel bow and a two-pillared stirrup with the prod binding also most likely made of steel. The stock is composed of walnut wood and inlaid with silver-plated decoration that appears to be deteriorating. The top of the stock is carved with large leaf patterns, dotted patterns, and rectangular panels behind the rear sight, which resembles a doorway along with a curved triangle above. The protruding part of the thumb rest is also etched with a particular pattern which is not clearly visible in the images. There is a steel trigger mechanism attached to the stock, and the auction website states that the rope string is most likely original, belonging to the period of when the weapon was manufactured.
The steel bow is attached to the bridle block with a hemp rope and a small suspension, most likely made of iron, can be seen in the image. The string also appears to be composed of hemp. The rivet is surrounded by steel-plated lines on the backside and within the lines, a spiral vine design as well as a crowned humanoid face can be found along with a leaf hanging off a small sphere. The stock (material is not mentioned) has a veneer of bone and carved with images of battle troops and hunting knights. Near the transverse pin are scenes of mountains, castles, houses, and trees. The cheek rest is also engraved with floral and leafy patterns, bordered with wavy drawings. The rectangular piece near the nut seems to be rear sight, however, the hole is not clearly visible. The trigger mechanism is made of iron along with the cranequin which has a wooden handle. The museum website suggests it to belong to a nobleman for hunting purposes.
This is a steel crossbow with a wooden butt stock that is inlaid with carvings of mother-of-pearl and bone. The rear-sight is decorative, resembling a mermaid raising her arms and tail, and punched with five holes and instead of a traditional trigger, it consists of rosette shaped 'action-button'. The name of the creator, MORITZ SAM is stamped on the stock which has a scallop-shaped lever attached to its top at the fore-end. While it retains its original string along with what seems to be a pouch in a crisscross formation, the stirrup is missing.
A Chinese pellet composite crossbow that features a serpent like wooden stock. Attached to the prod is a double bow string with a pocket area for the pellet. It possesses a trigger lever that is made from bone. The front facing portion of the prod showcases a decorative floral pattern.
Length: max 500 mm bow, Length: max 650 mm stock
This is an ornate fruitwood crossbow with a small iron suspension ring, string and prod binding made of twisted gut and rope respectively. The front of the stock is has an iron plaque affixed on it and according to the auction site, the weapon is engraved with the maker's name, 'DH, Daniel Hopper'. The stock is carved with scenes from the story of the Swiss folk hero, William Tell, composed of mother-of-pearl and bone. The slightly damaged backdrop is that of Renaissance and Late Medieval architecture with views of Lake Lucerne in Switzerland. and blooming flowers and trees. It depicts an army with William Tell at the head, wielding a crossbow, and an apple being shot off a boy's head, assumed to be the hero's son. There is a maiden on horseback and William at the end of the stock is seen to be holding a Swiss-cross shield with another shield on the ground. The top of the stock consists of creeping and repeating patterns and William Tell smiling with his son, on a mountain.
Note: the rear sight, nut, and some of the details of the carvings are not visible in the images on the website.
A wooden crossbow of West African origin, specifically Nigeria. This crossbow was used by hunters of the Bini tribe (also known as the Edo people) of the Kingdom of Benin. Its prod is made of wood and traverses through the upper portion of the wooden stock. The bow string is made of plant fiber and is securely fixed in place behind a wooden peg. The stock is also ornately decorated with carvings in line and dot patterns and features a central groove for the crossbow bolts.
Depth: max 87 mm, Width: max 466 mm, Length: max 792 mm
A pellet crossbow of European origin. It features a steel prod however its string is missing. Its foresight at the front of the prod is in a U-shaped with its backsight featuring three sight holes. The stock is made of wood and encased with steel to provide reinforcement. Additionally, the stock is also intricately decorated with inlays and carvings of ivory bone. As a part of its stock is a steel lever and release trigger mechanism in place for the firing of the crossbow. The butt of the crossbow is of a flat circular shape.
Length: max 680 mm of stock, Length: max 500 mm of bow
A bullet crossbow made in the mid 18th century likely originating from England from crossbowmaker William Barker of Wigan England. It has a walnut stock engraved with floral and shell patterns and a steel prod intact with its original string. Attached to the string is a woven ball cup net or pocket used to hold the bullet in preparation of firing the crossbow. At the rear of the crossbow there is an engraving on the center of the plate which reads the number 523. There is also an adjustable sight and a backsight that can been flipped upwards. The backsight contains four distance sight holes.
Measurements 28" long x 26" wide.
A sporting crossbow likely originating from Germany. It likely was manufactured in Nuremberg as its makers mark bares similar resemblance to other crossbows of the same type that bore a Nuremberg city mark. The crossbow itself possesses a snap lock mechanism to hold the string in place known as a Schnepper. It features a steel prod with its original string in place, and its stock is inlaid with animal bone. At the butt of the crossbow is a concave cheek rest made for right-handed users. It also contains an intricate trigger mechanism with safety and cocking levers. At the fore of the crossbow are two woolen pompoms and a suspension ring used to hang up and store the crossbow.
Length: max 600 mm of stock, Length: max 500 mm of bow, Weight 2900 g
A quarrel shooting crossbow originating from Northern Europe, specifically England. It possesses a wooden prod and stock which features a trigger arm. Likely used to span the device are knobs on both sides of the trigger. The stock is enclosed with brass metal well beyond the trigger and at either side of the stock is a screw plate with a hole used attach the prod to the bow. The stock also features a rolling brass metal nut of cylindrical shape fixed in place with a metal axial pin. In the middle of it is a groove used to place the crossbow bolts for firing.
Length: max 927 mm, Width: max 64 mm, Height: max 122 mm
