Assassins crossbow repro by Tod -- myArmoury.com

Leo Todeschini · Industry Professional

Hi All,

It has been a few years since I made one of these and so I thought I would post it up here.

I have posted a similar bow previously and there is a whole build thread here http://myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t=191...balestrino

Ballestrinos were small, powerful crossbows commonly called 'assassins bows' that were popular in Italy and Spain in the 16th and 17th centuries. I am not quite sure what they were for and my particular opinion is that they were either executive toys or self defence weapons but personally don't believe they were for assassins as a trade group as such, although I guess they could have been used for this.

The bows are clearly very powerful, though with a short powerstroke they won't deliver what a full size bow would. This particular bow has been tested at 212lbs at 50mm (2"). There are very few of these bows existing and the only one I know vaguely near to me is one in RA at Leeds; all the ones I know about have very different trigger systems and are visually quite different. I think that there were not enough of them made to fall into standard patterns which explains the variety of styles. They all have a common layout in that they have a trigger block that slides forward and engages the string and then is drawn back using the inbuilt screw in the handle.

This particular piece has some elements in bronze and has a bronze lion brazed to the end of the twist grip.

I have made a film about the bow and that will get posted up on due course, but not for a few weeks I would think but as part of that I did some shot testing. Of the three or four bolts I shoot at 12mm ply wood, one poked its point through the back side which was unexpected and impressive for what it is especially as the bolt energy was 4.6J or 3.5ftlbs. Not an elephant stopper.

I hope you like it and any questions or comments, please fire away (pun intended).

Tod

Preben B · Posted: Tue 04 Sep, 2018 3:25 pm Post subject:

That bronze detailing really accents it beautifully, amazing piece.

I think owning one of those would drive my rust paranoia to new heights, but damn if it wouldn't be worth it, can't wait to see the video.

Mark Moore · Posted: Tue 04 Sep, 2018 5:26 pm Post subject:

Absolutely awesome! The derringer of crossbows! And....a work of art from a master....as always. Big Grin

...........McM

Ben Joy · Posted: Tue 04 Sep, 2018 9:51 pm Post subject:

This is the first I've ever seen one of these and I'm now utterly fascinated. I read the whole build thread on the first one; and I must say I'm extremely impressed.

Honestly, I like the lack of information and the possibility that, while they seem like neat "executive toys", they very well could have been actual self defense or assassination tools. Add in the fact that certain cultures had obsessions with poisons at the same time these were apparently being made, and it creates an intriguing mystery. A small "poke" from one of these with highly distilled hemlock, belladonna, foxglove, nightshade, or other poisons popular at the time would prove incapacitating (if not lethal) in short order. While certainly not anything I'd consider a "common" assassination tool, it certainly could be one for people with money; and it provides the luxury of hitting a target while they're unsuspecting. Let alone the fact it'd be bypassing the whole food taster business, that was a byproduct of the poisoning obsessions.

Sometimes a bit of mystery keeps things interesting; and much of the assassination business, through the ages, is wrought with mystery.

Regardless, I look forward to the video and applaud you for the fine work on such an exotic piece.

Leo Todeschini · Industry Professional

Hi Guys,

I have made a video of this bow for YouTube and you can find it here https://youtu.be/eM9t3Zk4KCs

Matt Easton and I also had a chat and a play around with it here https://youtu.be/3A5Bgktb96o

I hope you find them interesting and enjoyable or at least one of the above.

Tod

Tim Lison · Posted: Wed 31 Oct, 2018 8:37 am Post subject:

Thanks for posting this Tod! It's such a cool little crossbow. It was very enjoyable to watch it in action!

Nathan Robinson · myArmoury Admin

Very cool video. It would be a lot of fun to shoot these!

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Thu 01 Nov, 2018 12:18 pm Post subject:

Terry Thompson · Posted: Wed 07 Nov, 2018 9:28 am Post subject:

Ezio Auditore da Firenze likes this post.

Leo Todeschini · Industry Professional

Jean, sorry for the silence, but stuck on a phone so will answer when I can type properly

Tod

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Wed 21 Nov, 2018 3:16 am Post subject:

Leo Todeschini · Industry Professional

Jean Thibodeau wrote

Jean Thibodeau · Posted: Mon 26 Nov, 2018 1:11 pm Post subject: