Small gothic crossbow (with wooden lever)

by Dark Factor Sun May 27, 2018 11:14 am

Dark Factor: Tinkerer
If there is a will, there is a way.; Posts : 68
Join date : 2017-10-16
Age : 39
Location : Belgium

Post n°1

Small gothic crossbow (with wooden lever)

by Dark Factor Sun May 27, 2018 11:14 am

Hello everybody,

I've taken some pictures of the 4th crossbow I just finished. That's a small crossbow (I wanted to parade on medieval fairs and stay on the belt).
Some more pictures here : http://www.licorneargent.be/les-arcs/arbaletes/reconstitution/petite-arbalete-gothique/

That's a gothic inspired crossbow (67cm with stirrup). the inspiration comes from several XVth century crossbows (leather lace on stirrup, drawings on the bow...)

The tiller is made of yew and horn plates - the lever too - that's a composite painted bow (horn-bamboo-sinew).

The bow isn't as strong as I thought first, it's 80lbs but that's good to bend with the lever (I wanted 100lbs or more, but not sure I could bend easily with the lever).

Small gothic crossbow (with wooden lever) 0002

Small gothic crossbow (with wooden lever) 0002

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Small gothic crossbow (with wooden lever) 0051

by stuckinthemud1 Sun May 27, 2018 2:57 pm

stuckinthemud1

stuckinthemud1: Crossbow Junkie
I live here!; Posts : 522
Join date : 2014-02-05
Age : 55
Location : south wales valleys

Post n°2

Re: Small gothic crossbow (with wooden lever)

by stuckinthemud1 Sun May 27, 2018 2:57 pm

Magnificant bow, really love it. It might be a little narrow for a higher draw weight but I bet it shoots light weight bolts very fast.

by c sitas Sun May 27, 2018 6:29 pm

c sitas

c sitas: Crossbow Junkie
I live here!; Posts : 547
Join date : 2012-11-24

Post n°3

Re: Small gothic crossbow (with wooden lever)

by c sitas Sun May 27, 2018 6:29 pm

Real nice job Dark. I like the ornate appeal of it. I push 100# with my whippe. I like the way they work. I really like the looks of yours, my is not pretty.

by Dark Factor Mon May 28, 2018 10:47 am

Dark Factor

Dark Factor: Tinkerer
If there is a will, there is a way.; Posts : 68
Join date : 2017-10-16
Age : 39
Location : Belgium

Post n°4

Re: Small gothic crossbow (with wooden lever)

by Dark Factor Mon May 28, 2018 10:47 am

thanks.
Yes, it's hard to find the good dimensions to make the desire draw weight. I generally make longbows or flatbows till 60-70 lbs @28", but small ones are very different during tillering. It seems very strong at low draw length so I imaigne it's too strong but I forget the final draw length is very short compared to classical bows.

But, yes, it shoot well even with short draw length (about 28cm)

About paintings, that's easy to make on every bows you want to make look better... (I used watercolor and pencil because I haven't found something else at home ...and varnish after)