Late Gothic Crossbows and Accouterments

Matchlock · 22nd February 2012, 02:26 PM

A very nice South German Early Renaissance cranequin, ca. 1540, preserved in completely original condition, wrought iron with brass applications. The maker's mark, a crescent and two pellets, is well known but cannot be attributed to an identified person. Brass applications in iron works - and weapons - are known to have been in use from ca. 1470-1550, and then again around 1700.

What is highly unusual with this cranequin is the the fact that the cord loop for attaching the spanning device to the lugs on the crossbow tiller is internally reinforced here with strands of iron wire. This remarkable feature becomes visible only thru a small damage of the loop.

German private collection.

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 22nd February 2012, 03:22 PM

The cranequin mounted is about contemporary; the one displayed on the right is notably shorter and can be dated to ca. 1500, the belt hook is missing. The sporting crossbow seems to be German, ca. 1600-1650.

Please note the b/w illustration of a cross section of a Late Gothic composite horn bow. I posted such remarkable coss sections of horn bows preserved in the Swiss collections of Lucerne and Zürich here before.

Best,
Michael

Micke D · 23rd February 2012, 04:04 PM

And here is the sister to the cranequin that Michael posted.
It's located in Skokloster in Sweden.
It's from the same maker but it is a bit more stripped, not much of housing left.

Matchlock · 25th February 2012, 05:44 PM

I was told that this one was preserved in The Royal Armouries Leeds but it was not on display when I was there, nor was is exhibited in The Tower of London.

Does anybody have a clue - Micke?

Best,
Michael

Matchlock · 25th February 2012, 06:58 PM

I just found out it actually is in Leeds. Here is more of it.

In our opinion, this item should be definitely dated about a quarter of a century earlier than the RA believe it is.

m

Micke D · 27th February 2012, 06:49 AM

I think that this one could be from 1480-1490 or something like that, based on the strange and probably early four-axle lock mechanism.

I have written a little article explaining my thoughts about how this one is related to two other 15th c crossbows.

This one wasn't displayed when I was at Leeds either, but the floor with the hunting stuff was closed for rebuilding/rearranging or something like that.

I don't know if it has been displayed in modern times at all? I guess there would be more photos of it if it has been shown.

Matchlock · 27th February 2012, 02:42 PM

Where was that article of yours published? Could you share it with us?

m

Matchlock · 28th February 2012, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micke D

I think that this one could be from 1480-1490 or something like that, based on the strange and probably early four-axle lock mechanism.

I have written a little article explaining my thoughts about how this one is related to two other 15th c crossbows.

This one wasn't displayed when I was at Leeds either, but the floor with the hunting stuff was closed for rebuilding/rearranging or something like that.

I don't know if it has been displayed in modern times at all? I guess there would be more photos of it if it has been shown.

I found a different view.

m

Matchlock · 8th June 2012, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micke D

I think that this one could be from 1480-1490 or something like that, based on the strange and probably early four-axle lock mechanism.

I have written a little article explaining my thoughts about how this one is related to two other 15th c crossbows.

Hi Micke,

Please forgive my stupidity, and my not asking earlier:

Would you please be so kind and post that article of yours?

It concerns a crossbow in the Royal Armouries Leeds, posts #88 and #89.

Thanks in advance,
and eagerly looking forward to some good reading,

Michael

22nd February 2012, 02:26 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A very nice South German Early Renaissance cranequin, ca. 1540, preserved in completely original condition, wrought iron with brass applications. The maker's mark, a crescent and two pellets, is well known but cannot be attributed to an identified person. Brass applications in iron works - and weapons - are known to have been in use from ca. 1470-1550, and then again around 1700. What is highly unusual with this cranequin is the the fact that the cord loop for attaching the spanning device to the lugs on the crossbow tiller is internally reinforced here with strands of iron wire. This remarkable feature becomes visible only thru a small damage of the loop. German private collection. Best, Michael Attached Images

22nd February 2012, 03:22 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A Late Gothic Crossbow, ca. 1460-70, in the Museum of Morges, Switzerland The cranequin mounted is about contemporary; the one displayed on the right is notably shorter and can be dated to ca. 1500, the belt hook is missing. The sporting crossbow seems to be German, ca. 1600-1650. Please note the b/w illustration of a cross section of a Late Gothic composite horn bow. I posted such remarkable coss sections of horn bows preserved in the Swiss collections of Lucerne and Zürich here before. Best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 22nd February 2012 at 03:48 PM.

23rd February 2012, 04:04 PM	#3
Micke D Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 41	And here is the sister to the cranequin that Michael posted. It's located in Skokloster in Sweden. It's from the same maker but it is a bit more stripped, not much of housing left. Attached Images

25th February 2012, 05:44 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	One of the Finest Late Gothic Crossbows in Existence, ca. 1480 I was told that this one was preserved in The Royal Armouries Leeds but it was not on display when I was there, nor was is exhibited in The Tower of London. Does anybody have a clue - Micke? Best, Michael Attached Images

25th February 2012, 06:58 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	I just found out it actually is in Leeds. Here is more of it. In our opinion, this item should be definitely dated about a quarter of a century earlier than the RA believe it is. m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 26th February 2012 at 06:23 PM.

27th February 2012, 06:49 AM	#6
Micke D Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 41	I think that this one could be from 1480-1490 or something like that, based on the strange and probably early four-axle lock mechanism. I have written a little article explaining my thoughts about how this one is related to two other 15th c crossbows. This one wasn't displayed when I was at Leeds either, but the floor with the hunting stuff was closed for rebuilding/rearranging or something like that. I don't know if it has been displayed in modern times at all? I guess there would be more photos of it if it has been shown. Last edited by Micke D; 27th February 2012 at 09:20 AM.

27th February 2012, 02:42 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Where was that article of yours published? Could you share it with us? m