The Arbalist Guild

Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

Crossbows - Everything about Building, Modding, and Using your Crossbow Gear

Latest topics

» 12th Century Chinese Crossbow Chronographed
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Nov 24, 2023 3:50 pm

» Crossbow Stock
by kenh Tue Oct 31, 2023 6:19 am

» Colletiere a Charavines continuing experiment
by stuckinthemud1 Sat Oct 07, 2023 5:36 am

» Cocking - how
by stuckinthemud1 Thu Aug 03, 2023 4:24 am

» Questions around heavy crossbow lath buildin
by stuckinthemud1 Wed Apr 26, 2023 1:10 am

» Arab Crossbow
by stuckinthemud1 Tue Apr 25, 2023 7:57 am

» prod angle, and lever trigger for sale anyone?
by stuckinthemud1 Mon Mar 20, 2023 5:54 am

» flexible string
by jasper1978 Mon Mar 20, 2023 1:25 am

» [solved]Skane/Lillohus crossbow thread
by stuckinthemud1 Sun Mar 19, 2023 7:44 am

» jens sensfelder
by jasper1978 Wed Mar 08, 2023 11:58 pm

» 400lb Windlass crossbow bolts weight and accuracy shooting high.
by stuckinthemud1 Sun Mar 05, 2023 2:53 pm

» Codex Löffelholz crossbow
by stuckinthemud1 Tue Jan 24, 2023 4:14 pm

» Digitar prodsc
by stuckinthemud1 Sun Jan 15, 2023 2:42 pm

» Troubleshooting
by Andy. Fri Jan 06, 2023 12:29 pm

» Wood Prods
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Dec 30, 2022 12:47 pm

» Colletiere a Charavines crossbow
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Dec 30, 2022 8:54 am

» Simplified Löffelhotz speedloader
by stuckinthemud1 Fri Dec 09, 2022 4:05 pm

» Fiberglass H-bows
by c sitas Sat Nov 12, 2022 8:44 am

» Bad Antler
by drawknife Sat Nov 12, 2022 3:48 am

» Anyone make their own bolts?
by Juniper Mon Oct 17, 2022 8:20 am

» Josef alm in English
by Juniper Sat Oct 15, 2022 4:22 am

» Qin/Han lock drawings
by kenh Fri Sep 23, 2022 8:16 pm

» stirrup dimensions?
by stuckinthemud1 Thu Sep 01, 2022 1:49 pm

» Skane/Lillohus lockbow information needed
by stuckinthemud1 Sun Aug 14, 2022 6:23 am

» need help contacting le musee Dauphinois Grenoble
by stuckinthemud1 Sat Aug 13, 2022 3:22 pm


2 posters

    15th century military crossbow draw weight?

    jbc98k
    jbc98k
    Fresh Blood

    Doesn't mean
    I'm new to crossbows


    Fresh Blood Doesn't meanI'm new to crossbows


    Posts : 9
    Join date : 2011-08-04

    15th century military crossbow draw weight? Empty 15th century military crossbow draw weight?

    Post by jbc98k Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:40 pm

    Gentlemen in narrowing my question I'm a little confused on the draw weight of a steel prod crossbow of the 15th century as carried by the average soldier. I know the "siege" crossbows are 1000lbs plus in some cases but what about the bows used in the field during open combat?
    Geezer
    Geezer
    Master Crossbowyer
    Master Crossbowyer


    Posts : 1194
    Join date : 2010-01-12
    Age : 76
    Location : Austin, Texas, USA

    15th century military crossbow draw weight? Empty Re: 15th century military crossbow draw weight?

    Post by Geezer Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:03 pm

    Draw weight for 15th century military field bows?
    That's a little like asking horsepower for mid-20th century automobiles... it varies.
    Light infantry and cavalry bows, like the ubiquitous Padre Island bow might draw 300-400 lb. and be drawn with a gafa cocking lever (goats foot)
    German-style cranequin-bows, as used by some horse archers, might draw as much as 1000 lb, but I would expect more like 500-700 lb. (that's a number off the top of my head... I know Metropolitan Museum tested such a bow back in the 1930's under Bashford Deane. As I recall, their bow drew something over 700 lb, and though there were problems with the way their tests were conducted (they were trying to determine power, but used a bolt that was wayyyyy too light) I see no reason to doubt the efficiency of their scale.
    Ralph Payne-Gallwey had a large military Arbalest that drew 1200 lb, and cast a 4 ounce bolt @ 450 yards. Total weight of the weapon was about 18 lb, not much less than the weight of a WwII BAR automatic rifle, which was carried by one man, albeit generally a strong man. so if you figure a maximum of 1000 lb. for a late 15th century crossbowman in the field, you'll be about right.
    Any bow much in excess of 350 lb. will require some sort of spanning device stronger (and slower) than a simple belt-hook.
    Does that answer your question? Geezer
    jbc98k
    jbc98k
    Fresh Blood

    Doesn't mean
    I'm new to crossbows


    Fresh Blood Doesn't meanI'm new to crossbows


    Posts : 9
    Join date : 2011-08-04

    15th century military crossbow draw weight? Empty Re: 15th century military crossbow draw weight?

    Post by jbc98k Fri Nov 04, 2011 6:48 pm

    Geezer that does help thanks. One last question on this thread. Would the Padre Island style bow be considered military issue for combat or more of a hunting bow? Thanks again for the help.
    Geezer
    Geezer
    Master Crossbowyer
    Master Crossbowyer


    Posts : 1194
    Join date : 2010-01-12
    Age : 76
    Location : Austin, Texas, USA

    15th century military crossbow draw weight? Empty Re: 15th century military crossbow draw weight?

    Post by Geezer Fri Nov 04, 2011 6:55 pm

    The original Padre Island bow came from a shipwreck (1554) IT WAS ALMOST CERTAINLY DEFENSIVE WEAPONRY FOR THE SHIP... SPANISH REGULATIONS REQUIRED ALL SHIPS TRADING TO THE INDIES TO BE ARMED. IT'S VERY PLAIN, WITH NO DECORATION AT ALL. THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR BOWS... A BIT NICER IN FINISH, AT THE ARMORY IN MALTA, AND A FAIR NUMBER IN THE ARMERIA REAL IN MADRID.
    I THINK OF THEM AS THE M-1 CARBINE OR AK-47 OF THE LATE 15TH CENTURY. SPANISH ARMIES EMPLOYED "JINETE" LIGHT CAVALRY WHO WERE ARMED WITH JAVELINS AND CROSSBOWS. THE PADRE ISLAND BOW LOOKS IDEAL FOR SUCH A PURPOSE... SO MOST LIKELY IT'S A LIGHT MILITARY BOW.
    Geezer
    Geezer
    Master Crossbowyer
    Master Crossbowyer


    Posts : 1194
    Join date : 2010-01-12
    Age : 76
    Location : Austin, Texas, USA

    15th century military crossbow draw weight? Empty Re: 15th century military crossbow draw weight?

    Post by Geezer Fri Nov 04, 2011 6:56 pm

    Hey guys, sorry about the all-caps again. We can blame that on the cat, who cleverly stepped on just the right key as I was sending. No cream for you, Zebulon.

    Sponsored content


    15th century military crossbow draw weight? Empty Re: 15th century military crossbow draw weight?

    Post by Sponsored content


      Current date/time is Thu Mar 28, 2024 5:22 am