I had a trip to the Wallace Collection in London earlier this week - they have an excellent display of arms and armour, but guess what most of the armoury is shut for refurbishment grrrrrr. Only one of their crossbows was on display but it is a beauty. I got some pics in very poor light (no flash allowed) so sorry for the quality. I just love the guy playing the bagpipes carved just above the opening for the tiller. The bow is listed as S. German late C15th. So I've also posted a picture of a very famous German armour for man and horse in the same collection - from a similar date.
I'm not clever enough to post pics here directly so follwo the link to my flickr site and enjoy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/surreysnapper/sets/72157632666013942/
I'm not clever enough to post pics here directly so follwo the link to my flickr site and enjoy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/surreysnapper/sets/72157632666013942/