[Leo Todeschini]

Hi All,

Here is another crossbow built along the lines of German hunting bows from around 1500, and using elements from a few different bows. Notably the usual cord binding has been replaced with a steel strap called a nussfarben (I think) and the usual bone nut has been replaced with a steel nut. The bow has a draw weight of 380lb and is set up for a cranequin.

These bows were almost made to a formula and had short, but flowing and almost streamlined stocks, heavy composite or ocassionally steel bows spanned by a cranequin and lashed in place with hemp cords. The stocks were always fruitwood and they had horn cheeks around the nut, an antler or ivory nut held in with a cord and lots of bone plates, often engraved. The triggers were very sculptural and the bows were finished off with coloured pom poms on the bow, lashings and trigger. The customer will add the pom poms himself. The thing they always were, was flashy

The nut socket is bone lined, the stock is in cherry and the inlay is all in bone and horn. There is a magnificent original bow that is completely covered in small black and white squares similar to the smaller areas of inlay here. One day I will get the courage to tackle that one.

I hope you like it and if you have any questions please ask.

Tod

[Thomas R.]

Hi Tod,

this is a very beautiful piece of craftmanship! I wondered, what for the cords on the bow are. Are they a safety device in case one of the arms does break during shooting?

Regards,
Thomas

[Jason Daub]

Absolutely stunning, it makes me seriously consider thinning out the gun cabinet to add something like this. Incredible.

[Jean Thibodeau]

[Jason Daub]

The straps were originally added as protection against a catastrophic failure of the prod. If you have ever seen a drawn bow snap you will understand, the limbs spring out away from the break, hit the end of the bowstring and then snap back and hit you in the head. That is painful enough with lightweight wooden limbs, the thought of being struck in the head with a steel prod is terrifying. The sichern keeps the broken prod from giving you that smack.

[Craig Johnson]

I saw the title of the thread and hesitated as I knew what it might hold. Then decided to open the thread and sat back and wished I had spent my youth more fruitfully. While its always fun to see what others are doing and I enjoy talking shop and the pleasure of seeing great pieces of craftsmanship....

Well threads like this always make me a bit unsettled as I only wish I had the skills.

Damn fine piece my friend.

Craig

[Michael B.]

My heart stopped a little when I saw this. Beautiful piece. Maybe one day...

[Josh Wilson]

Very nice craftsmanship! The inlay is superb. What method will you use to span it?

[Leo Todeschini]

Thank you all for those fantastic comments, I really appreciate them.

The safety cords are indeed exactly as Jason Daub explains. They are simply there in case of a break. The steel on this bow has been made and heat treated very carefully and predictably so in this instance it will not be required, but it is there for appearance.

Craig Johnson wrote

[Matthew Stagmer]

Beautiful! I can count the hours.

[Mark T]

Wow. Wow. Wow.

I'd been working up to it for a while ... but now we really need to talk!

How about a bow and quiver+messer combo?

[Leo Todeschini]

Thanks all for the very generous comments.

Mark T wrote