Anyone into antique crossbows?

[TheTyler7011]

I’ve found that my weapon interest is slowly shifting further and further back in history.

Anyone know much about medieval crossbows? Are there many antique originals? Does anyone make repros? Is there a community in it similar to that of muskets?

If I had I guess, old ones don’t really exist anymore since they were mainly just wood

 

[Sam squanch]

Wrong forum. I don’t know if there is one or not. I see a few 19 th century target ones for sale online. They are cool, though.

 

[tallpine]

There are many examples of 15 -16th century crossbows in museums in Europe. Some are very ornate and show outstanding craftsmanship. They were mainly weapons of war but were also used for hunting by nobility and people of means. I got on a crossbow kick a few years ago and built a few. This is one I built to hunt with. 200lb steel prod, will do 360 fps through a chrono with a 600 gr. arrow. A very effective weapon, fun to build, even more fun to shoot.

 

[kje54]

I’ve found that my weapon interest is slowly shifting further and further back in history.

Anyone know much about medieval crossbows? Are there many antique originals? Does anyone make repros? Is there a community in it similar to that of muskets?

If I had I guess, old ones don’t really exist anymore since they were mainly just wood

I've always like crossbows but never got into buying them.
Here's a search I just did. Some are really expensive which typically means they are well made and period correct.

reproduction crossbow at DuckDuckGo

 

[kje54]

Wrong forum. I don’t know if there is one or not. I see a few 19 th century target ones for sale online. They are cool, though.

I may be wrong but it's my understanding "pre-flintlock" encompasses not only earlier firearms but weapons that predate firearms.

 

[Zonie]

This is a muzzleloading forum.

Although I allow mention of bow's and crossbows, we don't discuss them here.