Monday.

Spent most of today in my workshop putting the crossbow, purchased on my behalf by grandson Matthew about a fortnight ago, into good working order. Had to make two small parts for it. It is, as can be seen, a bullet bow (or slurbow) with the original gut bowstring  working in a slot cut through the forestock. It is made, according to the auctioneer's catalogue, to shoot heavy darts, but it could just as well have been used to shoot fairly heavy lead pistol balls, according to most of the books on the subject (and in accord with my own opinion). A very plain weapon (the stock has the shape of an eighteenth century military musket). Of no great value, but a satisfying weapon to have worked on.