German Crossbow ‘Arbalete A Jalet ’ with a hardwood tiller (1600 to 1800 German )

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Wood, Iron and Brass

In the time of Elizabeth I ‘Arbalest ’ or light fighting crossbows were used in the field by men protected only by their armour, and these would shoot arrows known as bolts or quarrels. The stock of the crossbow was called the tiller or arbrier and the catch for holding the string, the nut. However, ‘Arbalete A Jalet ’ such as this example have a long light wooden stock ending in a knob or ball and were arranged to shoot stones, bullets or clay pellets instead of bolts. Intended mainly for sport they were sometimes elaborately decorated and were used to shoot game well into the 18th century.

A German Crossbow ‘Arbalete A Jalet ’ with a hardwood tiller inset with an engraved
brass strengthening piece, a turned iron pommel with a iron bow
Circa 1680

Size: 75.5cm long, 63cm wide – 29¾ long, 24¾ ins wide