I thought folks might like to read about this Han Dynasty replica. The Han crossbow locks were built from cast bronze, but have also been made from wood in modern times and used on bows in the 150# range.
The Replica:
http://atarn.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1613&highlight=han+crossbow
The mechanism ought to appeal to you metalsmith types. Here is is laid out on grid paper for scaling:
http://atarn.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1613&highlight=han+crossbow
Be aware - the size of the lock had nothing to do with the size of the original crossbows or locks. The lock pictured is from a huge "burial bow" - functional but not practical. Bronze was a luxury metal and rich folks buried a lot 'because they could'. If you built one half the size shown it would handle upwards of 300# prods.
The Replica:
http://atarn.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1613&highlight=han+crossbow
The mechanism ought to appeal to you metalsmith types. Here is is laid out on grid paper for scaling:
http://atarn.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1613&highlight=han+crossbow
Be aware - the size of the lock had nothing to do with the size of the original crossbows or locks. The lock pictured is from a huge "burial bow" - functional but not practical. Bronze was a luxury metal and rich folks buried a lot 'because they could'. If you built one half the size shown it would handle upwards of 300# prods.