I want to build a period war crossbow for target practice. Something in the late 14th to early 15th century. I am trying to figure out what a practical poundage would be that would have been used then. I would like it to be considerably higher than 75lbs. I was thinking up to 200 lbs perhaps, is that way to much? I would like it to be a long range weapon. I don't mind using a cocking lever. Even a cranequin might be neat but I think something I could use a cocking lever on would be good so it doesn't take too long. I will compete in SCA competitions which have no poundage limit for period crossbows.
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Christopher Anselm of Windsor
Windsor Armouries
Medieval War Crossbows- how much poundage?
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Christopher Anselm
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"I will compete in SCA competitions..."
Actually Chef, in this case, 200 lbs is a poor choice if 200 lbs is the bow iron/stave poundage. (Not poundage x draw length.) A 200 lbr is what I'm looking at similar to COSG's crossbow.
For SCA competitions, two factors come up that will seriously influence your decision.
1) To gain a much higher score in SCA Royal Rounds, you need to be able to cock and load as fast as you can. Therefore, the non period approach of just grabbing the bow string is required or the clip on your belt and standup method. A cocking whip would be the next choice but much slower. The crannequin is by far the slowest and was primarily meant for high poundage war crossbows or for mounted use. What this means is that a target bow iron / stave should only be a light poundage. 75 to 100 being the norm.
2) In the case of 200 lbs, you will find you will blow through most modern archery targets. This means that you will lose many more bolts (arrows). It also means that you will be scrutinized by more SCA archery marshalls under the safety to the public clause.
Probably the best website to look at is New World Arbabest at http://www.crossbows.net
Then jump over to Alchem who makes custom (somewhat modernized) crossbow irons and view the list on how the specifications work.
http://www.alcheminc.com/crossbow.html
[This message has been edited by Friedrich (edited 10-08-2002).]
Actually Chef, in this case, 200 lbs is a poor choice if 200 lbs is the bow iron/stave poundage. (Not poundage x draw length.) A 200 lbr is what I'm looking at similar to COSG's crossbow.
For SCA competitions, two factors come up that will seriously influence your decision.
1) To gain a much higher score in SCA Royal Rounds, you need to be able to cock and load as fast as you can. Therefore, the non period approach of just grabbing the bow string is required or the clip on your belt and standup method. A cocking whip would be the next choice but much slower. The crannequin is by far the slowest and was primarily meant for high poundage war crossbows or for mounted use. What this means is that a target bow iron / stave should only be a light poundage. 75 to 100 being the norm.
2) In the case of 200 lbs, you will find you will blow through most modern archery targets. This means that you will lose many more bolts (arrows). It also means that you will be scrutinized by more SCA archery marshalls under the safety to the public clause.
Probably the best website to look at is New World Arbabest at http://www.crossbows.net
Then jump over to Alchem who makes custom (somewhat modernized) crossbow irons and view the list on how the specifications work.
http://www.alcheminc.com/crossbow.html
[This message has been edited by Friedrich (edited 10-08-2002).]