Medieval Crossbows

Are you looking for a medieval-style crossbow to complete your collection of antique weapons? We offer you medieval crossbows inspired by historical crossbows. Please note that the products available are not designed for recreational or sport shooting. They are mainly decorative weapons, although some models are truly functional. We advise you to keep them for decorative purposes only. Discover our mini crossbows, tactical crossbows, hunting crossbows and crossbow pistols instead if you want to buy a shooting weapon for practice. They are available with all accessories in our store.

Choose our collector's items

Medieval crossbows are true collector's items for the die-hard enthusiast. They are appreciated for their rustic style and authenticity. They are replicas of the crossbows used in the Middle Ages. To impress or surprise your guests, let yourself be seduced by our superb models. Varying in size from 50 cm to 80 cm, they'll easily find their place in an existing collection, in a dedicated room, in your office, in your living room... They're also great gift ideas for loved ones, whether they're crossbow fans or not.

Medieval crossbows differ in many ways from real, classic crossbows designed for shooting. They are, for example, smaller, but also lighter, and their power is limited to between 50 and 100 lbs. That's why they're ideal as decorative and collector's items. They also have other special features. These include an all-wood handle or stock, a metal bow and a metal stirrup. They come with wooden squares or lines of varying sizes.

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The crossbow and its origin

The crossbow is believed to have originated in ancient China, where it was primarily used for hunting. The ancient weapon was still devoid of any mechanism. It was during the Middle Ages, around the 10th century, that this weapon underwent significant developments as people sought to improve upon the bow and arrow, making it a more powerful and practical weapon.

The Medieval Crossbow

To create the medieval crossbow, the primitive wooden bow was transformed into a much more efficient metal bow. It consisted of one or more joined metal pieces, and instead of a vegetable string, it was equipped with an iron wire string before the current aesthetic fiber strings. Various systems were invented to automatically reload the weapon. This is the ancestor of the modern crossbow. It would use shorter arrows made of wood, metal, or carbon.

In the past, the crossbow primarily served as a military weapon before it was banned [prohibited by the Church because it easily pierced the armor of knights and nobles, thus deemed unfair], and then replaced by firearms.

The evolution of the medieval crossbow

To facilitate the use of the crossbow and maintain its power, the systems for arming the bow have continuously evolved. To draw the bow, the ratchet, stirrup, crank, goat's foot lever, and other devices were invented. To keep the bow drawn and aim without effort, the nut was added. To release the string and launch the bolt or quarrel, the trigger was created.

Since the Middle Ages, various types of crossbows have been known: stone-throwing crossbows, repeating crossbows, stirrup crossbows, lever-action crossbows, rack and pinion crossbows, windlass crossbows, or even giant crossbows. They are distinguished by their arming mechanism, that is, the ways of drawing the bowstring. Crossbowmen also used different quarrels and tips: the bolt (quarrel or carrel), dondaine, madras, vireton, and tranchoir.

Handcrafted medieval crossbows for collection

Among collectible crossbows, handcrafted models are undoubtedly the most appreciated. They accurately reproduce historical pieces visible in old engravings, museums, or from other historical sources. For great enthusiasts, there are no more authentic and original crossbows than these. Moreover, these replicas of medieval weapons will add character to your interior.

Why collect crossbows on Hattila?

Hattila is a reference for crossbow and archery. In our store dedicated to these disciplines, we exclusively offer high-quality products, available in different ranges and suitable for all budgets. To do this, we partner with major manufacturers of crossbows, bows, and accessories worldwide. We thus make available to you authentic, magnificent, and sometimes unique collectible crossbows that you can proudly display among your own collection of historical weapons at home. These are also essential accessories for themed events around the Middle Ages, castles, Game of Thrones, Walking Dead, etc. Make your choice from our models and receive your order as quickly as possible.