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The Dimensions of Crossbows
sporting friends who were interested in the attempt, and who declared
that the feat was impossible.
The distance achieved by the bolts, according to Ordnance Survey, was
between 440 and 450 yards.
It is most unlikely that a missile of any kind has previously been projected
without the aid of gunpowder, from one shore to the other, across this
arm of the sea.
The large Military Crossbow with a thick steel
bow, which was carried by the crossbowman in battle, as at Agincourt for
instance, weighed from 15 lbs. to 16 lbs. without its windlass.
Its steel bow was from 2 ft. 7 in. to 2 ft. 8 in. long, and at its centre
1 3/4 in. to 2 in. wide, and 5/8 in. to 3/4 in. thick.
The Sporting Crossbow for killing deer by means
of an ordinary bolt, weighed from 12 Lbs. to 14 Lbs. without its windlass;
or, by reason of its then smaller stock, from 10 Lbs. to 12 Lbs. if a cranequin,
instead of a windlass, was employed to wind up the bowstring. Its steel
bow was from 2 ft. 5 in. to 2 ft. 6 in. long, and at its centre 1/ 1/2
in. to 1 3/4 in. wide, and 1/2 in. to 5/8 in. thick.1
The Smaller Sporting Crossbow, such as was
used in Spain for killing deer with a poisoned bolt, and small animals
and large birds with an ordinary bolt, weighed from 8 Lbs. to 9 Lbs. without
its cranequin. Its steel bow was from 2 ft. 4 in. to 2 ft. 5 in. long,
and at its centre 1 3/8 in. to 1 1/2 in. wide, and 3/8 in. to 1/2 in. thick.
NOTE. - The details concerning dimensions, weights and
ranges given in Chapters III. and IV. are derived from a careful personal
inspection and trial of a large number of late fifteenth, and early sixteenth-century
crossbows. The ranges were in all cases measured by surveyor's chain and
not by footpace.
This weapon is described in Chapters XIX.-XXVIII
The Crossbow
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Dimensions of Crossbows > p.15 |
