Medieval, renascence crossbows and spanning devices 3

Windlass crossbow

Windlass crossbow had thick and broad steel bow. Bow of this crossbow was drawn by windlass. This crossbow is used short before the last quarter of 14th century and in 15th century. Stock of this crossbow was made from tough wood, such as beech. Stock was around 3 feet long. Almost all parts on the stock is made from steel. Nut which hold string was made from steel or horn (from crown of stags antler). Bow was length of 2 feet, 6 inches to 2 feet, 8 inches, it is slightly canted upward. String for this crossbow is made from hemp or flax.

Windlass is spanning device consist from six wheels, cords, hooks, handles and more metal parts. This device is easy for use. Device was putted to crossbow, hooks is putted to string and string is drawn to the nut by using handles on back of the crossbow. When attached to crossbow windlass can draw string to the nock in 12 seconds.

Siege crossbow was made also with steel bow and it is drawn with windlass. Siege crossbow had weight of about 18 lbs and huge power.

Rack and pinion crossbow

Rack and pinion is spanning device introduced in the last quarter of 15th centry. This device called cranequin (french word) was used on the hunting crossbows, it was simpler to use than the windlass but considerably slower to work. This device was rare in warfare on millitary crossbows. Crossbows used with cranequin usualy had no stirrup. Cranequin could draw string to nut in 30 seconds.

Rack and pinion crossbow had increased width of stock near the lock, or two tranverse iron pins near the lock and against that pinsthe cord of cranequin was rested. Trigger of crossbow is shorted and also fitted with safely trigger. Cranequin consist of ratchet bar with hook, small spindel, large and small wheel, metal ring, and cord. Bow was drawn by putting  cord through back side of stock, putting the cranequin on the stock, hooking the string, turning handle to the right till string is drawn to the lock, than cranequin was removed.

Crossbow drawing with windlass:

Cranequin:
 

Crossbow drawing with cranequin: