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

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

» Crossbow Stock
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» Cocking - how
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» Arab Crossbow
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» [solved]Skane/Lillohus crossbow thread
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» jens sensfelder
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» Codex Löffelholz crossbow
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» Digitar prodsc
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» Troubleshooting
by Andy. Fri Jan 06, 2023 12:29 pm

» Wood Prods
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» Colletiere a Charavines crossbow
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» Fiberglass H-bows
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» Skane/Lillohus lockbow information needed
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4 posters

    Looking for some help Identifying this crossbow

    Hjoken
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    Hjoken
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    • Post n°1

    Looking for some help Identifying this crossbow Empty Looking for some help Identifying this crossbow

    Post by Hjoken Wed Aug 08, 2018 5:57 pm

    I picked this one up at a auction recently mostly for a display piece.Now I am curious if anyone might know its make or anything about it.The caps at the end of the stock and bottom are a platic/bakelite and it seems as it had been fired(wear marks on the top) I would not mind actually restringing it and trying it out.My plan is to take it to a archery shop to confirm usability before I did tho.Any info/ideas would be appreciated!Looking for some help Identifying this crossbow Side10
    Looking for some help Identifying this crossbow Trigge10
    Looking for some help Identifying this crossbow Top10
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    Geezer
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    • Post n°2

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    Post by Geezer Wed Aug 08, 2018 9:28 pm

    This bow looks like a home-built, probably made from published in the 1950s in a do it yourself magazine called 'Popular Mechanics'  Later the plans appeared in a compendium of Popular Mechanics plans called The Boy Mechanic.   The plan called for a steel prod cut from automobile spring, and bolted into the stock from the front.  Roller lock runs on a center- axle, Not in a close-fitted cylindrical socket.  These are pretty rare, much less common than old Powermaster bows.  Geezer.
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    Andy.
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    • Post n°3

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    Post by Andy. Thu Aug 09, 2018 1:10 am

    Could be an old German like this...

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-VINTAGE-GERMAN-CROSSBOW-Hand-made-with-arrow/322359053119?hash=item4b0e18cb3f%3Ag%3A2OYAAOSw2xRYUCdH&_sacat=0&_nkw=vintage+crossbow&_from=R40&rt=nc&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1312.R1.TR11.TRC2.A0.H0.Xvintage+cross.TRS1
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    Geezer
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    Post by Geezer Thu Aug 09, 2018 9:54 am

    Despite the claims on ebay, that one also is likely a bow handmade from the Popular Mechanics plan.  Note the roller nut situated in a huge cavity.  You won't see that sort of error on factory made pieces.  There ARE German/Swiss 'zimmer armbrust' made for indoor shooting that bear a substantial resemblance to these two bows, but they have a clap-type lock, not a roller.  I could be wrong, but this time, I think not.  Geezer.
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    Hjoken
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    • Post n°5

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    Post by Hjoken Thu Aug 09, 2018 7:03 pm

    I took the xbow into a local shop and they advised against stringing it due to unknown nature of the steel.I may try another shop for a 2nd opinion.
    Thanks for all the replies so far. I came across this post in my search and it looks somewhat similar :
    https://thearbalistguild.forumotion.com/t33-crossbow-restoration-project

    Looking for some help Identifying this crossbow Top_tr10

    If this was made from a magazine they sure did a nice job of it.
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    c sitas
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    • Post n°6

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    Post by c sitas Wed Aug 22, 2018 11:54 am

    Hjoken , back when that was made , people had time,  they weren't rushed , like now days. Also ,there weren't as many of the popular electric hand tools that we have now so, you done it by hand ,a stroke at a time. As you can see ,these have stood the test of time. Maybe not antiques but still have some worth.
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    • Post n°7

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    Post by Geezer Thu Aug 23, 2018 10:21 am

    The medieval solution for unknown steel bows like Hjoken's bow above, is to lash a leather strap from end to end, along the back (target-side) surface of the prod.  Then if it breaks in testing, the bits of steel won't come back and hit you.  I think with application of a bit of intelligence, you should be able to string and test this machine.  If it makes, say, 10 shots without complaint, you can probably assume its safe to play with.  Enjoy.  Geezer.
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    Hjoken
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    Post by Hjoken Thu Aug 23, 2018 2:57 pm

    I might give it a try.Worst thing is I lose the $27 i paid for it.lol
    Im wondering if ill have to make a device to pull the string back like this one:

    Looking for some help Identifying this crossbow Dsc01310
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    c sitas
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    Post by c sitas Thu Aug 23, 2018 5:41 pm

    Those are easy to make and, take almost all the pain out of cocking a heavier bow .I use those and winches all the time . I'm 74 and my shoulders are shot, otherwise I'd be shooting a regular bow. I'm a has been competition shooter.I anchor all of mine in the front with a piece of rope from the handle to a hook fastened in the stock on the front of the bow. Just the exact opposite works well also.Some call this a whippie .You can use wood for the whole thing.
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    Geezer
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    Post by Geezer Sat Aug 25, 2018 11:15 am

    Egon Harmuth's "Die Armbrust" refers to this type of push-lever as a 'wippe'.  Incidentally, it's the same word as the handle on a water-pump, which works in similar fashion.  Geezer.
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