Continental Cross Bow Sold

Antique Continental Cross Bow or Stone Bow

Superb Antique Continental Cross Bow, or Stone Bow.  Probably originally made in the late 17th or early 18th century.  The bow measures 32.1/2″ in length.  The steel limbs are 27.5/8″  across.  There is a square section 3.1/4″ forged spike on the front of the bow.  The haft of the bow being reinforced with flat steel plates fixed with steel slotted screw heads.

Clever articulated cocking arm runs along the top of the haft stock which originally would have pulled the string toward the cocking position.  A locking catch on the upper side of the stock holds that lever in position.  The steel work on the bow shows an even surface degradation which would be impossible to falsify and only time would be able to etch upon its surfaces.  It is smooth and almost polished in its quality; very similar to surface effect found on 16th and 17th century swords.

The trigger mechanism consists of a 5″ lever that is squeezed towards the stock to release.  On the rear of the release block is a crude but simply effective line of sighting holes piercing a foldable leaf.  In effect this gives degrees of elevation.  The foresight wings are akin to ant or insect feelers.  They do have square cuts in them at regular intervals and, as not an authority on these weapons, I speculate that they may have had a fine thread weaved between them to further sectionalist the view of the target – just a guess.  An L-shaped flat spring affixed to the RHS would hold the wings down in a stowed position.

Dark wood stock.  Much time and consideration has gone into the making of this weapon.  It is a fine and interesting period piece.  There is a strong possibility that a blacksmiths mark is stamped in the underside of the steel bow, close to the stock on the left hand side.  Research has turned up nothing yet but close misses. The game is a-foot….!

£ 625.  Sold

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