1736 - Children's Crossbow with Carved Handle

Children's Crossbow with Carved Handle Switzerland, Germany, 17th century, with 19th-century additions. A high-quality, elaborately carved walnut column featuring floral, figurative, and heraldic Renaissance decoration. On the left is a three-part coat-of-arms shield inlaid with mother-of-pearl; on the right are the monogrammed initials “AD” and “DA,” respectively. On the top of the column is a hole for attaching a diopter. The front leg rest for securing the bolt is missing. Folding lock with a trigger mechanism featuring a needle-point trigger, added in the 19th century. The original trigger was converted into a trigger guard during this modification and is attached only to the left side of the column. Unmarked steel bow (L 43.5 cm) with original lacing and string. String catch with an iron claw and horn plate. Another polished horn plate forms the rear end of the column. L 60 cm.