A unique crossbow collection

Matchlock · 8th June 2012, 03:56 PM

And on.

Matchlock · 8th June 2012, 04:01 PM

And a few more.

Please note the finely roped decoration on the spindle of the connecting rod and the S shaped pierced tracery which become visible only when taking off the lateral lid of the gearbox!

The original owner of this cranequin may probably have never noticed or seen these hidden details!

The yellowish and brownish discolorations are due to remains of olive oil that are hundreds of years old; the green discoloration, as I explained, is due to verdigris caused by the seams of copper soldering at each single joint of all the single iron parts!

I also wish to point out another zoomorphic and apotropaic decorative detail: one of the riveted bases on top of the gear box, the one opposite the handle, is carved as a stylized animal's head, the eyes struck with a prick punch!

m

Chris Evans · 9th June 2012, 08:31 AM

Matchlock,

Great posts and fantastic photos Thank you for sharing. I always had a fascination with old crossbows!

Cheers
Chris

Matchlock · 9th June 2012, 11:10 PM

Thanks, Chris,

So have I.

My fascination with earliest firearms though proved to be stronger from the very beginning, so I finally surrendered to it some 30 years ago ...

To make things perfect, at about the same time I found somebody to carry on and fulfill with perfect dedication that old 'crossbow thing' of mine.

Still I have kept sort of mentoring my old beloved subject ... and all those fine items posted here that used to be mine decades ago!

Cheers from Bavaria,
Michael

Matchlock · 10th June 2012, 04:30 PM

I also wish to point out another zoomorphic and apotropaic decorative detail: one of the riveted bases on top of the gear box, the one opposite the handle, is carved as a stylized animal's head with an articulated nose, the eyes struck with a prick punch!

m

Marcus den toom · 18th March 2014, 04:01 PM

A great thread, i myself have been tempted a few times by these items like cranequi and crossbows. I never saw such a cranequi from the inside, thank you so much for sharing

I also noticed the little dimples on top of every 'tooth' on the leteral bar, was this purely decoration or had it some kind of function (like lubrication?)

This friend isn't by any change called Crossbow??

(my deepest congratulations to him, his collection and the amazing scenery whatever his name might be

)

Matchlock · 18th March 2014, 04:35 PM

I will pass your congratulations but he is very withdrawn about his collection; I realize that what little I posted of it is already too much from his point of view, which of course I fully respect.
Could you mark these 'dimples' on a photo to show me what exactly you mean?

m

8th June 2012, 03:56 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	And on. Attached Images

8th June 2012, 04:01 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	And a few more. Please note the finely roped decoration on the spindle of the connecting rod and the S shaped pierced tracery which become visible only when taking off the lateral lid of the gearbox! The original owner of this cranequin may probably have never noticed or seen these hidden details! The yellowish and brownish discolorations are due to remains of olive oil that are hundreds of years old; the green discoloration, as I explained, is due to verdigris caused by the seams of copper soldering at each single joint of all the single iron parts! I also wish to point out another zoomorphic and apotropaic decorative detail: one of the riveted bases on top of the gear box, the one opposite the handle, is carved as a stylized animal's head, the eyes struck with a prick punch! m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 8th June 2012 at 06:38 PM.

10th June 2012, 04:30 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	I also wish to point out another zoomorphic and apotropaic decorative detail: one of the riveted bases on top of the gear box, the one opposite the handle, is carved as a stylized animal's head with an articulated nose, the eyes struck with a prick punch! m Attached Images

9th June 2012, 08:31 AM	#3
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Matchlock, Great posts and fantastic photos Thank you for sharing. I always had a fascination with old crossbows! Cheers Chris

9th June 2012, 11:10 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Thanks, Chris, So have I. My fascination with earliest firearms though proved to be stronger from the very beginning, so I finally surrendered to it some 30 years ago ... To make things perfect, at about the same time I found somebody to carry on and fulfill with perfect dedication that old 'crossbow thing' of mine. Still I have kept sort of mentoring my old beloved subject ... and all those fine items posted here that used to be mine decades ago! Cheers from Bavaria, Michael

18th March 2014, 04:01 PM	#6
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 534	A great thread, i myself have been tempted a few times by these items like cranequi and crossbows. I never saw such a cranequi from the inside, thank you so much for sharing I also noticed the little dimples on top of every 'tooth' on the leteral bar, was this purely decoration or had it some kind of function (like lubrication?) This friend isn't by any change called Crossbow?? (my deepest congratulations to him, his collection and the amazing scenery whatever his name might be )

18th March 2014, 04:35 PM	#7
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	I will pass your congratulations but he is very withdrawn about his collection; I realize that what little I posted of it is already too much from his point of view, which of course I fully respect. Could you mark these 'dimples' on a photo to show me what exactly you mean? m