1083

Circa 1750

ENGLISH MAHOGANY AND STEEL CROSSBOW

An elegant example used for hunting small game such as hares and rooks with a clay bullet. Mahogany shaft with pointed, steel-encased prod end, inset decoratively engraved steel plates on all four sides, possibly for reinforcing supports, and a half-domed steel butt at the opposite end. Sliding metal ring at the butt end slides back to allow the long steel cocking bar to be pivoted forward to engage the bow string and draw it back to a firing position. Just forward of the cocking lever is a metal mount with a flip-up steel sighting vane and trigger release. Mounted at the front is a U-shaped flip-up sight with serrated edges and a white bead strung between the two arms. Retains original two-section bow with original round bone spacers. On a contemporary wooden stand.
Height on stand 37.5". Crossbow length 31.5". Width 27.5".
Condition: Generally good condition. Original bow sting too old to attempt using. Their are are a few tiny losses to the stock. Old warm age patina.

  • Provenance: Notes:
    Often referred to as a stone bow, the bullet-shooting crossbow was developed in the 16th Century and perfected in England in the Late 18th Century. The clay ball or bullet was held in the pouch in the center of the cocked bowstring and when released it passed between the sighting posts and under the sighting bead suspended between them.

Shipping Options

Invaluable Shipping

  • Expert Care packing and Shipping
  • Shipment Protection
  • Real-time tracking

Arrange your own

  • You will coordinate with us to arrange your own shipping

Local pickup

  • You will coordinate with us and arrange pick up time after payment.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

July 28, 2021 9:30 AM EDT
East Dennis, MA, US

Eldred's

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$0 - $499,999:
25.00%
$500,000+:
10.00%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000