European Crossbows and Crossbow Spanning Devices
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of approximately 80 crossbows and accoutrements which date from between the 14th and 20th centuries. This collection comprises a range of items which represent both medieval and modern warfare. There around 30 crossbows and bow staves which are made of either composite materials – such as wood, horn, and sinew – or are of steel construction. One crossbow is thought to date to as early as the 14th century however many of the items date from the 16th century, including the only certain example of a 16th century English crossbow. Whilst some of these items are quite plain others are beautifully decorated and were used for hunting. The collection also includes crossbow accoutrements including around 21 spanning devices and 30 crossbow bolts (arrows).
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