Unusual Small Crossbow

fernando · 20th June 2012, 05:10 PM

The 'barrel' would be the 'deposit/drum' for the rope hank; the orifice to tie the end of the rope.
Such was the suggestion given by the original person; that this could be a fishing crossbow. The interpreation of the member quoted in the (here) posted images is a bit 'distorted'.
I have lurked into this forum; several members giving wings to their imagination, like suggesting an incendiary crossbow, boar hunting crossbow and so on. One of them even made a draft on how it should have worked. The idea of a fishing crossbow with a rope (string) seems to be the more consensual (to them).

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Matchlock · 20th June 2012, 06:55 PM

Wow, 'Nando,

What a fascinating interpretation!

Thank you so much for enlightening my dense mind!

I am not ashamed to admit that I did not include that option.

On the other hand, I know nothing on fishing.

I remember seeing records on the employment of incendiary arrows with matchlock muskets as late as the second half of the 16th c. though, the illustration of ca. 1570-80 probably of Spanish origin (attached) - a combination of devices which classic weaponry tends to confine to the earliest days of European firearms.

Well, you left me baffled if not flabbergasted.

Best,
Michl

fernando · 20th June 2012, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matchlock

... What a fascinating interpretation! ... Well, you left me baffled if not flabbergasted.

Oh, i feel compensated just by learning the flabbergast term ... something i would never realize it existed

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katana · 20th June 2012, 10:33 PM

Is it just me, but......those hexagonal bolt heads look extremely out of place ....

Kind Regards David

Matchlock · 21st June 2012, 02:11 PM

Hi David,

They seems strange indeed and troubled me too at first; somehow 'out of period' (or rather of what we expect to be 'period').

On the other hand, quadratic bolt heads were in use since at least the 15th c. as a small Gothic alcove gun, preserved in virtually 'untouched condition' in my collection, shows.

Similar devices are depicted in Philip Mönch's Kriegsbuch (Book of War Techniqes), 1496, fol. 32r.

Best,
Michael

fernando · 21st June 2012, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Is it just me, but......those hexagonal bolt heads look extremely out of place ....

Kind Regards David

Touché, David

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This model might well be an early one, but those bolts denounce a reproduction never earlier than mid XIX century ... right ?

20th June 2012, 05:10 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	If my humble french doesn't betray me The 'barrel' would be the 'deposit/drum' for the rope hank; the orifice to tie the end of the rope. Such was the suggestion given by the original person; that this could be a fishing crossbow. The interpreation of the member quoted in the (here) posted images is a bit 'distorted'. I have lurked into this forum; several members giving wings to their imagination, like suggesting an incendiary crossbow, boar hunting crossbow and so on. One of them even made a draft on how it should have worked. The idea of a fishing crossbow with a rope (string) seems to be the more consensual (to them). . Attached Images

20th June 2012, 06:55 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Wow, 'Nando, What a fascinating interpretation! Thank you so much for enlightening my dense mind! I am not ashamed to admit that I did not include that option. On the other hand, I know nothing on fishing. I remember seeing records on the employment of incendiary arrows with matchlock muskets as late as the second half of the 16th c. though, the illustration of ca. 1570-80 probably of Spanish origin (attached) - a combination of devices which classic weaponry tends to confine to the earliest days of European firearms. Well, you left me baffled if not flabbergasted. Best, Michl Attached Images

21st June 2012, 02:11 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi David, They seems strange indeed and troubled me too at first; somehow 'out of period' (or rather of what we expect to be 'period'). On the other hand, quadratic bolt heads were in use since at least the 15th c. as a small Gothic alcove gun, preserved in virtually 'untouched condition' in my collection, shows. Similar devices are depicted in Philip Mönch's Kriegsbuch (Book of War Techniqes), 1496, fol. 32r. Best, Michael Attached Images

20th June 2012, 10:33 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Is it just me, but......those hexagonal bolt heads look extremely out of place .... Kind Regards David