Lot Essay
The trigger mechanisms are set by inserting rods into the holes in front of the lever trigger and in the top side of the tiller
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SECOND HALF OF THE 16TH CENTURY
Details
A GERMAN SPORTING CROSSBOW
Second half of the 16th Century
With robust steel bow struck with a mark (similar to that on the bow of Wallace Collection inv. no. 1041) and retained by its original cords (incomplete at the front), walnut tiller (some worming) swelling towards the middle and hollowed out at the cheek-piece, the top veneered in white staghorn, the bottom inlaid with a white staghorn band engraved at the front with the date 1562 and retaining an old collection label dated 1945(?), the sides also with white staghorn bands bordered by strips of chequerwork in white and dark horn, the cheek-piece engraved with a male and female profile head, an erased coat-of-arms, the initials 'IT', and the date 1597, fitted with horn nut (retaining cords missing), iron lugs for the cranequin, iron lever trigger with swivelling safety-catch, side-mounted iron back-sight, and folding set trigger (bolt-clip and suspension-ring missing)
26in. (66cm.)
Second half of the 16th Century
With robust steel bow struck with a mark (similar to that on the bow of Wallace Collection inv. no. 1041) and retained by its original cords (incomplete at the front), walnut tiller (some worming) swelling towards the middle and hollowed out at the cheek-piece, the top veneered in white staghorn, the bottom inlaid with a white staghorn band engraved at the front with the date 1562 and retaining an old collection label dated 1945(?), the sides also with white staghorn bands bordered by strips of chequerwork in white and dark horn, the cheek-piece engraved with a male and female profile head, an erased coat-of-arms, the initials 'IT', and the date 1597, fitted with horn nut (retaining cords missing), iron lugs for the cranequin, iron lever trigger with swivelling safety-catch, side-mounted iron back-sight, and folding set trigger (bolt-clip and suspension-ring missing)
26in. (66cm.)
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium