On December the 7th, 2014, I used the above stone bow as a 'Mystery Object'. Yesterday, just before we set out for Hollowtrees farm for lunch, Bill, my barber, called in to return the stone bow which he had restrung. He'd made a thoroughly good job of it, and was of the opinion that it is probably now usable, but I think it's a bit fragile for that, so I'm afraid I disappointed him. He wouldn't accept any sort of payment for doing the job, so I gave him a bottle of 2012 sloe gin, as I know that both he and his wife have a taste for the stuff. Isn't it good to have friends like that?
I do think it looks better for being complete.
4 comments:
That's a fine piece of work, Mike; any chance of some close-ups of the stringing and the torsioning and release mechanisms?
Hello Crowbard, for the requested details please see my blog entry for Wednesday, eleventh of February, where I hope I've made things clearer.
I'm extremely impressed with the simplicity and functionality of the sighting arrangements which show advanced design developments using very simple materials. They would enable an inexperienced user to quickly become proficient and accurate after a few ranging shots. What would have been its range when in its prime?
To quote Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey's book - The Crossbow - 1903- 'If held at an angle of 45 degrees, a good bullet crossbow will throw a half ounce lead bullet to an extreme range of 300 yards, and if shot at a metal target at 20 yards, more than half of the bullet will be flattened. The weapon can easily be made ready and then aimed and discharged, four times in a minute'. I have heard it stated, and it may well be true, although I can find no written reference to such a practice, that the stonebow may be used with shot, if the leather pouch be half filled with lead shot, and a small plug of tissue paper or the like be pushed into the pouch on top of the shot. If I ever try it I will let you know how it works. The stone bow I have is a fairly light sporting weapon, but would probably be lethal at close ranges- twenty five yards or so, with a rather smaller ball than the one I've illustrated.
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