Hi All,

I have started a couple of 15thC crossbows and though I would show a little of the progress as I go along.

Crossbows differed quite a bit from region to region and these are firmly based on those of Germany and Bohemia, but in many cases toward the end of the 15thC, there was very little difference between those destined for hunting and those for war, except that the war bows tended to be a little plainer, but they were certainly not boring or straight like so many crossbows from France, England, Spain and even Italy (I would have expected better of them).

The first crossbow is to be a military bow and will draw around 580lbs and be spanned by a cranequin, has a two axel trigger and the more decorative bow will draw around 400lbs and be spanned by a goats foot lever.

The cranequin bow has a bone deck, horn cheeks and a holly stock, the hunting bow (goats foot) has a cherry stock with bone and horn detailing throughout.

Both of these should be finished next week and I will show progress as I go and the cherry stocked bow will be available, the other is a commission.

I hope you like them.

If crossbows are your thing, I have a load of videos here www.youtube.com/todsworkshop as a well as a few on swords and scabbards.

Tod

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I always love your WIP write-ups and photos. Those are going to be fantastic. ;) ............McM

*Whistle*--bold colors and lines for bold bows! The cranquin bow with the bone nut has two dark spots on the teeth/tines: are those reinforcing pins?

Kai Lawson wrote

Quote:

Whistle*--bold colors and lines for bold bows! The cranquin bow with the bone nut has two dark spots on the teeth/tines: are those reinforcing pins?

Yes that is correct, you sometimes see them on heavier bows. Thisis not that heavy a bow for antler nuts, but I get nervous all the same.

At last, I have finished the two medieval crossbows, but completely forgot I was supposed to be doing a work in progress - sorry.

The first crossbow draws to around 380lbs and has a cherry stock with bone and horn detailing in the top, horn cheeks and horn stock plates and is spanned with a goats foot lever.

The bow is lashed in place with dyed hemp cords and bound with a woven leather over wrap. Suitable for hunting or war circa 1480. This bow is currently available.

The second bow is plainer with a holly stock and a bone deck, but with an antler nut and draws to around 550lbs and is spanned with a cranequin. This is a war crossbow and so is a little plainer, but still has a dyed lashing and the leather over weave. This was a commission.

I hope you like them.

Tod

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Tod—

My admittedly limited experience with holly wood is that it’s fairly soft. Is that true for all holly, or just some? The stuff I’ve handled feels like it would be damaged or warped with the stress of repeated shooting, though it didn’t seem very ‘split-y’ but more fibrous like spruce.

Was holly a historic stock wood? Love that pale color (closer to bone than ash or maple).