Peter Finer Crossbow

Details

Description

A VERY FINE AND RARE GOTHIC CROSSBOW, SOUTH GERMAN, circa 1475 The composite bow covered with parchment decorated with an intricate design along the length of the back with three gilt bands, the upper and lower of a fruiting vine enclosing a central panel incorporating flowers, fish, birds and other emblems. The elegant fruitwood tiller is thick at the fore-end, where cord bridles secure the bow, then tapers and is cut away on the underside for the thumb-and-finger grip before expanding to the area around the release nut and lock; from here the tiller tapers gradually to the butt. A cranequin-lug passes through tiller some six inches behind the release nut. The top of the tiller reinforced with plain bone for its entire length and having a lateral bolt guide at the fore-end. Intricate flowing tendrils, strapwork and shaped panels of horn and various woods are let into the sides of the tiller around the area of the lock and on the underside around the areas forward of the trigger and the original string and bound cord bridles. A small iron stirrup or hanging loop is attached to the bow by more recent leather bindings. The long lever trigger operates directly on the iron-reinforced underside of the horn release nut, this rotates on a cord binding tied around through the tiller and nut. Item ref: 1190

Features

• Country : UNITED KINGDOM