Medeival Crossbowman

[Nap]

Hi to all ,

I have just finished the medeival bust from Elan 13 Miniatures ,

put out as a billman , I decided to do mine as a crossbowman so ...................

My mate Jimbo has made a lovely scale crossbow to use on it ...cheers matey

My question is :

How were these carried on the march , I have lots of references holding them but cannot find any with a sling or something similar ...or did they never carry them any other way other than in the hand .

Anyone got any suggestions ???

Cheers guys

Nap

 

[Helm]

Much like with the long bow there's been much debate over it Kev as a personal view I would say they would have made some form of sling to carry it about not in the hand constantly
Steve

 

[Mark S]

Kevin, I asked this very same question some time ago here and no one could find any reference to the weapon being slung with a strap or belt, but as Steve says I can't imagine that when it was not in use you wouldn't want to free up your hands by slinging it over your back.
But there does not appear to be any contemporary images showing it being carried that way.
Some crossbowman had a pavise to carry as well which was slung on the back with the weapon being carried in the hands.

 

[Nap]

Cheers Steve and Mark ,

Your comments are appreciated ..like you say I cannot believe they did not sling it some how ....any suggestions where it might be attached ?

I have hunted high and low but like you Mark can find no images ..even in a re enactors book .

Happy new Year

Nap

 

[Helm]

At a guess I'd say a simple rope or leather sling tied to it. soldiers no matter what period of history are if nothing else practical especially when it comes to lugging kit about
Steve

 

[DEL]

Kevin, given the range of sizes and the variety of methods of winding used I imagine that comfort would have been a governing factor.
By the time you've got a quiver of bolts, a winder / lever, and some sort of edged weapon, along with pouches strapped round your waist you're going to want something convenient and above all light to take the bow.
Like Steve says a simple sling or belt, but I don't think this would be attached to the bow, rather a loop would be attached to the belt
and the bow could easily be slipped in and out without being encumbered by a strap when in use,
Cheers
Derek

 

[Helm]

I can see how that would work Del but then you've got it banging against your leg or you can't sit down etc, hard to say really how they would have done it for certain. I'm still inclined to the "rifle sling" style o' thing myself but yours is another method for sure
Steve

 

[DEL]

I'm thinking more of a crossbelt running from one shoulder under the opposite arm with a loop (hook) fixed to a point well up towards the 'over shoulder' area on the belt.
I came across this http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7516 and a lot of the 'stirrups' are too small to take a foot and at least one is a loose ring. This makes me lean a bit more towards a hook, what is interesting though is the apparent lack of contemporary illustrated evidence. This lends weight to the conclusion that individuals would customise to suit their own preferences.
D.

 

[Nap]

Hi Guys ,

Thanks for the input and what a great link Del ...amazing pictures some truely fabulous crossbows especially the ones with ivory carvings .

A lot to think about ...how would I carry one ..simple get Mrs Nap to do it ...no honest she would ...I think not !!!!

Nap

 

[Helm]

Cracking link Del
Steve

 

[Sturm Grenadier]

Hello Nap, What about this picture???

It looks as if the crossbow might be straped to the back of his belt, or maybe to the pavise itself. Only photo I've found where it wasn't being carried over the shoulder. Regards, SG

 

[Nap]

Hi SG ,

Thanks for digging around to find the picture must have took some doing ...apreciate it , looking at the picture it does look like its strapped to the belt at the back perhaps in a "open bag" similar to the sort the bolts were held in maybe .

Might have to be over the shoulder as the bust is stepped at the back and not full if you understand me .

Thanks to you SG and everyone

Nap

 

[garyhiggins]

Hi Kev, the picture SG found is in the book "The Book of the Crossbow" by Ralph Payne Gallwey, published by Dover. Picture is on page 76. This is the only picture I can find, but I cannot believe that an archer on the march would not strap his bow across his back. Anyway, if you have any interest in archery, this is a fascinating book.
Best wishes, Gary.

 

[Nap]

Hi Guys ,

Thanks for all the repssonses ..appreciated

Gary , thanks for the book details

Currently painting the crossbow (amongst other stuff on the bench!!!) ...great little sculpt by my buddy Jimbo ...he will have the crossbow across his back with a"rope strap"

......I will post pics of the finished piece

Nap

 

[billyturnip]

Maybe the crossbows were carried on a baggage wagon when on the march like pikemen of a later period.

Roger.

 

[moz]

Perhaps you should have had legs on it as well............like this

 

[moz]

or maybe

 

[Nap]

Hi Moz ,
What a nice thought (I am still shaking ) ..but where does she put the bolts ?

Nap