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The Crossbow
Chapter V
The Range of the Medieval Crossbow and How It Compared in Respect to
the Longbow
Fig 11. - Crossbowmen
The centre figure may be seen bending
his crossbow with a windlass, with his foot in the stirrup of the weapon.
The ordinary Military Crossbow of the fifteenth century, with a thick
steel bow, was able, if elevated to 45°, to propel its bolt from 370
to 380 yards.
The so-called point-blank range of a weapon of this description, was
from 65 to 70 yards. The word point-blank must not, however, be read literally,
as the head of a crossbow bolt was usually inclined a little upwards as
it lay on the stock of the weapon, in order that it might have a slightly
rising flight at all distances at which it was used, an arrangement in
some measure applied to the sighting of our modern guns and rifles.
The Crossbow
> Chapter 5 > Range of the Crossbow Compared
to the Longbow > p.20 |
