Lever-action Crossbow - Germany/austria - 17th Century

Hunting or shooting crossbow, made of steel and hardwood, equipped with a particularly elaborate articulated lever cocking mechanism. The forged steel bow retains its antique twisted string, while the shaft shows a fine patina of use and a circular ivory or bone medallion inlaid into the stock.

The metal trigger system and long tensioning lever bear witness to meticulous technical workmanship, typical of 17th-century German workshops. Several forging details, notably the small heraldic hallmark visible on the mechanism, reinforce the attribution to a Central European production.

This piece is distinguished by:

• its rare and ingenious cocking mechanism;
• its entirely handcrafted construction;
• its generally good state of preservation;
• the presence of numerous original elements.

Crossbows of this type were used for both hunting and recreational precision shooting within Germanic shooting societies.