Set of four crossbow bolts, oak shafts with forged steel tipped common warheads, Germany, ca. 1500.

Four crossbow bolts with forged quadrilateral steel pointed heads mounted on stout oak shafts with partial remains of wooden and leather flights.

The crossbow bolts were given to the Museum in 1924 by H. Furmage of 10 Fulham Park Gardens, SW6. Their history prior to this is unknown. R.F. 24/8207

These crossbow bolts (also called 'quarrels') are typical of those produced in Germany from around 1450 to 1550. They are fitted with a mixture of leather and wooden flights. In some cases the flights are curved slightly to spiral along the shaft causing the bolt to spin in flight increasing its distance and potential for penetrating its target.

Crossbow bolts were produced in huge numbers. In 1411 the city of Frankfurt ordered "4000 new bolts trimmed to fit crossbow-nuts" while in 1420 at Schlochau the bolt room contained 63 chests full, with each chest containing around 200-250 bolts. Bolts were carried around in leather quivers.

The heads of bolts came in a variety of shapes and sizes and were designed for purpose. The heads of these bolts are warheads of forged steel, their heavy construction and robust four-sided tips designed to pierce armour and fell horses. Others used in hunting had fine chisel-shaped or forked heads for severing the hamstrings of large game, or blunt wooden heads for stunning small animals without damaging their skins. Some crossbow bolts, common in Russia, were pierced so that they whistled through the air terrifying enemy horses and slowing their cavalry charges. Other bolts were in the form of socketed arrows whose stems were packed with incendiaries which when fired in unison rained fire down on besieged troops and castles.

Crossbows for war were particularly useful in siege situations. They were much slower to re-load than the traditional longbow and suited armies in entrenched positions. Tests on crossbows of the European 15th century type show that, depending on the size of the bow, the bolts have a maximum range of between 300 and 350 metres and are most effective up to 100 metres. Maximilian I claimed he could slay a stag at 200 yards and that a man could be killed at more than twice the distance.

Crossbows were used in war until around the mid-16th century when they were gradually replaced by firearms. They remained popular however up to the 19th century for hunting and target shooting.

These crossbow bolts (also called 'quarrels') are typical of those produced in Germany from around 1450 to 1550. They are fitted with a mixture of leather and wooden flights, in some cases curved slightly to spiral along the shaft causing the bolt to spin in flight increasing its distance and potential for penetrating its target.

The heads of bolts came in a variety of shapes and sizes and were designed for purpose. The heads of these bolts are warheads of forged steel, their heavy construction and robust four-sided tips designed to pierce armour and fell horses. Others used in hunting had fine chisel-shaped or forked heads for severing the hamstrings of large game, or blunt wooden heads for stunning small animals. Some crossbow bolts, common in Russia, were pierced so that they whistled through the air terrifying enemy horses and slowing their cavalry charges. Other bolts were in the form of socketed arrows whose stems were packed with incendiaries which when fired in unison rained fire down on besieged troops and castles.

Crossbows for war were particularly useful during sieges. They were much slower to re-load than the traditional longbow and suited armies in entrenched positions. Tests on crossbows of the European 15th century type show that, depending on the size of the bow, the bolts can reach a range of between 300 and 350 metres and are most effective up to 100 metres.

Crossbow bolts were produced in huge numbers. In 1411 in the city of Frankfurt ordered "4000 new bolts trimmed to fit crossbow-nuts" while in 1420 at Schlochau the bolt room contained 63 chests full, with each chest containing around 200-250 bolts.

M.559 to C-1924