He [Cortes] also ordered that the crossbows with their cords, nuts and other parts should be overhauled and tested at the target, to see how far each of them would carry.
He [Cortes] also ordered that the crossbows with their cords, nuts and other parts should be overhauled and tested at the target, to see how far each of them would carry.1
Payne-Gallwey, Ralph. The Book of the Crossbow (Dover Publications, New York 1995)
Available from Dover Publications, 11 East 2nd St., Mineola, NY 11501. ISBN 0-486-28720-3 for $17.95 + $4.00 for shipping.
This is the book of crossbows (and siege weapons) at least of those written in English. The classic study of a subject by an English gentleman with far too much time on his hands. Fortunately he wrote it all down and its been continuously published since its first appearance in 1903. At 400 pages with 240 illustrations this is a must for anyone with a serious interest in the crossbow.
The Park Service’s reproduction bows, and accessories made by Dean Machine back in the early 1970’s are all based on the drawings and details in this book. In fact one morning while volunteering at the Memorial and demonstrating the crossbow Larry and I met a gentleman who had worked for Dean during the reproduction of these weapons. He described how they had ordered special heat treated steel for the prods but were generally able to follow the construction of the bows , along with the goat’s foot lever, craniquin and windlass accessories with little or no modification from the drawings in. Payne-Gallwey.
He also mentioned the first test firing, wherein
the employees of Dean Machine discovered what goes up must come down, in
this case through the roof on an Oldsmobile.
Watson, David R. Iolo’s First Book of Crossbows (Gwasg Caseg Wen Press, Austin Texas, USA 1995)
Available from: Chivalry Sports, P.O. Box 18904, Tucson, AZ 85731-8904 Ph.# 1-800-730-5464 $12.00 + $4.00 for shipping.
Although at 50 pages this book is not nearly as
comprehensive as Payne-Galloway’s it is probably of much more use ot the
modern re-enactor. Written by a man who makes at a living a crossbow construction
it is filled with useful details of crossbow reproduction and finding and
fixing problems.
Arnold III, J. Barto, David R. Watson and Donald Keith. “Padre Island Crossbows” Historical Archaeology 1995, Vol. 29 Number (2):pp. 4-19
.Available locally at the USF/New College Library Call letters, DER, E11 .56
This article presents a detailed study of crossbows
recovered from the shipwrecks of Padre island, Texas, dating to 1554. Traditional
archaeological and historical analysis is enhanced by production of working
replicas of light Spanish-style crossbows. A possible maritime adaptation
of the weapon is identified.
Foley, Vernard, George Palmer, and Werner Soedel. “The Crossbow” Scientific American 1985 Vol. 252 Number(1): pp.104-110.
Available in Libraries everywhere.
This is a short, technical, but non-mathematical treatment on the construction and physics of the crossbow. If you ever wondered why crossbow quarrels are far shorter than their longbow counterparts this is the article for you.
_____________________________
1 Díaz, Bernal. The Conquest of New Spain. Penguin books: New York, 1963. p.5
.
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