850lbs cross bow repro by Tod -- myArmoury.com

Leo Todeschini · Industry Professional

HI all,

This is a 850lb cross bow with an English windlass. Of course we associate the English with the longbow, but this style was indeed called the English windlass, so there must have been used enough to merit that. The other main type is called the German windlass where the two front wheels are smaller and side by side. Bias perhaps, but I much prefer this layout.

It is made to the usual specification, so that it has a forged steel bow, drawing 850lbs, the nocks are rolled and it is fitted with a waxed linen string. It is held in place with steel bow irons and wedges. The wedges allow east removal, but also importantly, hemp bindings can move in size and so the bow can loosen and in fact there are images of soldiers soaking their bows in butts of water to tighten the cords, as they shrink when wet. Incidentally why I think the accounts of Crecy (?) when the bows strings got wet and stretched I think are wrong as natural fibres shrink when wet. Much more likely to have softened the adhesive in the composite bows.

The stock is elm with a forward reinforcing pin, steel nut with hardened sear and steel sprung trigger, with steel cheek plates.

The windlass has spoked wheels and has box wood grips.

The bolts are poplar with steel Hector Cole heads, maple fletches and weigh in at around 75g/3oz. Cross bow bolts were (military) always fletched in wood and I think that is to make them last longer in magazines, though there is a video here where I waffle on for a bit about them https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDXdw22pPzA and another one here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lM_7rUQaZpw

This bow has not been put on a chronograph, but it will deliver about 140J of energy.

I hope you like it. Comments, thoughts and whatever are very welcome.

Tod

Scott Kowalski · Chris Landwehr 10/10/49-1/1/09 My Mom

The bow looks looks great Tod.

I have to say the windlass is what really has caught my eye with this piece. The intricate look of the pulleys is simply superlative. It is the details like this that set a true artisan apart from even high level craftsmen.

Stephen Curtin · Posted: Fri 29 Jul, 2016 4:21 pm Post subject:

Nice work as always Tod. I would love to see a video of this beauty in action.

Martin Moser · Posted: Sun 31 Jul, 2016 12:40 pm Post subject:

What a nice crossbow! Excellent craftsmanship!

Leo Todeschini · Industry Professional

Thanks guys, I appreciate it.

You will also find a video of a similar bow I made a few years ago here - that may be of interest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEOeZTV9wiA

Regards

Tod