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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 a mechanism. It was during the Middle Ages, around the 10th century, that this weapon underwent significant developments when efforts were made to improve 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 included one or several connected metals, and instead of a plant-based string, it was equipped with a wire string before the current aesthetic fiber strings. Various systems were invented to allow the weapon to be reloaded automatically. This is the ancestor of the modern crossbow. It used shorter arrows made of wood, metal, or carbon.

Over time, the crossbow essentially served as a military weapon before its prohibition [banned by the Church because it easily pierced the armor of knights and nobles, thus deemed unfair], and then its replacement by firearms.

Evolution of the Medieval Crossbow

To facilitate the use of the crossbow and maintain its power, the systems for cocking the bow continued to evolve. To cock the bow, the crank, the stirrup, the crank handle, the crow's foot... were invented. To keep the bow cocked and aim effortlessly, the nut was added. To release the string and launch the bolt or quarrel, the trigger was created.

Various types of crossbows have been known since the Middle Ages: crossbows with a slider, repeating crossbows, stirrup crossbows, lever-action crossbows, rack-and-pinion crossbows, windlass crank crossbows, and even giant crossbows. They are distinguished by their cocking mechanism, i.e., the ways of tensioning the bowstring. Crossbowmen also used different bolts and tips: the bolt (quarrel or carrel), dondaine, madras, vireton, and tranchoir.

Handcrafted Medieval Collection Crossbows

Among the collection crossbows, handcrafted models are undoubtedly the most appreciated. They accurately reproduce historical pieces visible in old engravings, in museums, or from other historical sources. For avid enthusiasts, there is nothing more authentic and original than these crossbows. 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 enthusiasts. On our dedicated shop for these disciplines, we exclusively offer high-quality products, available in different ranges and suitable for all budgets. To do this, we collaborate with leading manufacturers of crossbows, bows, and accessories worldwide. We provide you with 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. Choose from our models and receive your order promptly.