18th Century Continental Sporting Cross Bow SOLD

Fine Cross Bow – Sporting

A finely constructed 18th Century Sporting Cross bow stocked in an old English Hardwood like Ash, Elm or Oak.  No splits or shakes to the aged timber but some mild evidence of a past worm invasion which now seems dormant.  Furniture – all purpose made encases the stock in steel bracing thus strengthening against the powerful forces exerted upon it but the steel bow.  This diminutive yet powerful Cross bow still benefits from the fitment of it original wound waxed cord – unusual by collecting standards.

The Cross Bow measures 31.1/2″ in overall length.  The steel bow arms are 27″ across.  Fine shaped stock with the appearance of an early Brown Bess Musket but much lighter and smaller in dimension.  Steel shaped butt-plate affixed by two old slotted screws which are flush with the surface and have acquired the same patina as the plate.

The steel side plates terminate in long decorative tangs which run almost the full length of the side of the butt.  Formed in a serpent type design they offer further support to the stock.  The main side plates are affixed by flush flat head rivets.  A brass decorative tang runs from the top backwards and is decoratively surrounded by steel nails.

Trigger release is actuate by a squeeze bar of 6.1/2″ which terminates in a elongated acorn finial.  There is a vertical waisted spigot fixed to the brass tang with a crude open “V” filed within it acting as a rear sight. A rotating shaped block in the centre of the action was concerned with bow release.  A shallow furrow runs forward from that point, under the bow string to a slightly angled ramp, also with shaped furrow.  All of the above shows healthy signs of past usage, purely by wear; Not unlike that a a worn stone step.

 A round steel pierced finial protrudes from the front of the stock (probably a screw) – this applies force to the wedge that holds the steel bow in place, there is also a folded leather insert; to deaden the sound or to act as a shim? It is more than likely that this weapon may have been cocked by a rotating handle ratchet arrangement which would mount on the two side pegs that protrude from the sides below the aiming peg, – this alas is missing.  The string is taught and offers strong resistance, it can not be cocked by hand alone.

Altogether a sweet very old Cross Bow that shows signs of practical usage and has most likely provided many a rabbit for the stew pot.  Steel with all over even patina, all rivets flush and worn to the same.  Slight opening of grain around knots on the underside of the stock, but this can only happen within the considerable passage of time.  A fine Antique Cross Bow ready to join any serious weapons collection.  One that would not look out of place upon the walls of any English stately home.

I wish I could keep all the things I see !

£ 725.  SOLD

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