Spanish? Bolt for small fowl hunting crossbow?

Matchlock · 1st October 2014, 10:53 AM

Great find, Dana,

And extremely rare as well, especially as it consists of some copper alloy (presumably brass rather than bronze).

I fully agree with you and Nando on the dating and provenance of this head.
To me, though, it seems to be the head of a whistling crossbow bolt (German: Heulbolzen), or of an arrow for a bow:
http://www.google.de/imgres?imgurl=h...d=0CPwBEK0DMEY

The photos attached depict the only European whistling crossbow bolt known to be preserved completely, retaining its original haft; German, 14th-16th c.; it is in the private collection linked below.

My congrats!

Should you ever consider selling it, the highly specialized collection of a good Bavarian friend of mine would greatly welcome it, and provide a good home for it. For decades to come:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...bow+collection

Best,
Michael

1st October 2014, 10:53 AM	#8
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Great find, Dana, And extremely rare as well, especially as it consists of some copper alloy (presumably brass rather than bronze). I fully agree with you and Nando on the dating and provenance of this head. To me, though, it seems to be the head of a whistling crossbow bolt (German: Heulbolzen), or of an arrow for a bow: http://www.google.de/imgres?imgurl=h...d=0CPwBEK0DMEY The photos attached depict the only European whistling crossbow bolt known to be preserved completely, retaining its original haft; German, 14th-16th c.; it is in the private collection linked below. My congrats! Should you ever consider selling it, the highly specialized collection of a good Bavarian friend of mine would greatly welcome it, and provide a good home for it. For decades to come: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...bow+collection Best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 1st October 2014 at 11:49 AM.