Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Bows => Topic started by: stuckinthemud on June 06, 2021, 05:49:42 pm

Title: 11th century style crossbow
Post by: stuckinthemud on June 06, 2021, 05:49:42 pm
Its half term and I spent some time catching up with half finished projects,  in this case following the archaeological drawing of an original tiller and trigger to mount a lath sent to me by Del last summer. The original finds date to the 1040s AD and are from Lac du Paladru, Colletieres a Charavines,  in France.

The lath is a lightweight 30lb in walnut sapwood,  it took 1.5 inch set on a 33 inch ntn with 10 inch draw
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/wp-16230049585015735169521444273267.jpg)

 Have to say, this is a really sophisticated design, you lean against the trigger with your thumb which you activate by pushing it (not pulling) while lightly laying a finger on the bolt and holding the back end of  the cut-out section, all with one hand, the other hand being at the fore-end holding up the bow.  The trigger has a stop designed into it and gives a lovely positive action,  clicking into place on both ends of its movement, though carving the stop into the trigger channel is a bit of a potch.  I messed the geometry up and had to put the nose of the trigger into a groove in the string notch to stop it gapping as it reached the top of its arc.  Its all mated to a 30lb walnut bow with a late gothic type binding as no-one knows what the binding should be and this type of binding is as likely as any as well as being very effective.

(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/20210606_1935239163634711313378036.jpg)

The bow is correctly mounted but I drew it badly in a rush to grab the photo
(https://stuckinthemudsite.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/20210606_2041166787695496700591413.jpg)
Title: Re: 11th century style crossbow
Post by: stuckinthemud on June 06, 2021, 06:14:34 pm
Meant to say, the original bow was 110cm long in yew and 1.5 inches thick, with a 12inch draw, a really serious bow, not at all like the garden toy I built
Title: Re: 11th century style crossbow
Post by: Del the cat on June 06, 2021, 06:24:53 pm
Looks great :)
Del
Title: Re: 11th century style crossbow
Post by: stuckinthemud on June 06, 2021, 06:31:54 pm
Thanks for all your help on this project Del, its been very much appreciated.
Title: Re: 11th century style crossbow
Post by: bownarra on June 07, 2021, 02:33:24 am
That's cool. Glad it worked out for you.