Crossbow Design Questions

[Rey]

Hey,

The new SCA combat archery rules now have a Minimum pull of 400"lbs and several ladies I know have complained about the new minimum being a pretty stout pull for them if they can do it at all.

I'm building a couple of new crossbows and I am looking for design options to help them out as the new bows will be over 400"lbs.

Is there a cocking or lever type device that I can incorporate into the design.

Rey

[Sean Powell]

Hey,

Is there a cocking or lever type device that I can incorporate into the design.

Rey

Nissan Maximus designed a crossbow with a cocking lever. The point wasn't to reduce the pull so much as to be able to cock it without looking. It might work for you.

You should be able to find details in this thread:
http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/ ... t=crossbow

Edit: nope, This one:
http://forums.armourarchive.org/phpBB2/ ... t=crossbow

If in doubt lighter prod with a longer stroke will be easier to pull and still hit 400 in-lbs. (although why they don't just range test the things like a ballista I'll never know)

Sean

Sean

[Diglach Mac Cein]

Maybe a stirrup with belt hook? They used those in period.




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[Rey]

Maybe a stirrup with belt hook? They used those in period.




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I had thought about this as well but I know folks would rather look forward ward rather than at the ground while they are pulling their string. I may try it out though

Rey

[Diglach Mac Cein]

There is a lever action that was used in period -

However it was not an intergal part of the weapon, so that is an extra piece of equipment, and there is no gaurantee they will be able to use it with the xbow on their hip. A "rachet" version existed, but then you are further complicating the equimpent, which often = more problems.

There is going to be a trade off - the higher poundage will slow the rate of fire. In an open field battle, they won't get off as many shots as the enemy charges them - kind of like in period.

In a static battle, they can hide behind walls or out of range, reload, then walk back up.


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[Christophe de Frisselle]

Could try a windlass design!

[freiman the minstrel]

Hey Sir Rey,

It's good to hear from you.

Nissan's Equalizer is the best way to go in this case. If the ladies still have a problem drawing the crossbow, increase the length of the tiller (stock) and the Goat's Foot Lever(cocking arm).

A stirrup might help as well, but it is not part of the original design.

Have you found an inexpensive source for prods that is within the SCA poundage limits?

freiman the minstrel

[Rey]

Hey Sir Rey,

It's good to hear from you.

Nissan's Equalizer is the best way to go in this case. If the ladies still have a problem drawing the crossbow, increase the length of the tiller (stock) and the Goat's Foot Lever(cocking arm).

A stirrup might help as well, but it is not part of the original design.

Have you found an inexpensive source for prods that is within the SCA poundage limits?

freiman the minstrel

I'll check it out.. Figure I'll play with a few designs.

I'm buying Prods from Sir Bryan McBrand over at dark wood armory. I've played with some other peoples bows that have them and they don't seem to bad and fall within the limits.

Rey