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Matchlock · 20th June 2012, 12:23 PM

I found this older French site

http://www.webarcherie.com/forum/ind...lete-ancienne/

The crossbow seems to be quite small and possibly belonged to a well-known group of 16th c., mostly North Italian, crossbows which characteristically have steel tillers and were presumably used by assassinators, carried hidden beneath a cloak.
Of course it could also be a trap crossbow installed in the open.

They threw steel bolts and, like our sample in discussion, were equiped with a bow-'string' consisting of three steel links.

The tiller of this crossbow however seems to be of wood, with lateral iron reinforcements; the rear end terminates in a scroll pointing downward, which is also often the cas with the said Italian crossbows.
It is accompanied by a goat's foot sapnner.

Any inputs?

So-called 'assassin's' crossbows in the Musée de l'Armée Paris and the Doges' Palace Venice attached lelow, one of them signed in full by the maker and dated 1562.

Best,
Michael

20th June 2012, 12:23 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Unusual Small Crossbow I found this older French site http://www.webarcherie.com/forum/ind...lete-ancienne/ The crossbow seems to be quite small and possibly belonged to a well-known group of 16th c., mostly North Italian, crossbows which characteristically have steel tillers and were presumably used by assassinators, carried hidden beneath a cloak. Of course it could also be a trap crossbow installed in the open. They threw steel bolts and, like our sample in discussion, were equiped with a bow-'string' consisting of three steel links. The tiller of this crossbow however seems to be of wood, with lateral iron reinforcements; the rear end terminates in a scroll pointing downward, which is also often the cas with the said Italian crossbows. It is accompanied by a goat's foot sapnner. Any inputs? So-called 'assassin's' crossbows in the Musée de l'Armée Paris and the Doges' Palace Venice attached lelow, one of them signed in full by the maker and dated 1562. Best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 20th June 2012 at 03:39 PM.