An English Bullet Crossbow, And A French Target Bow, The First Circa 1765, The Second Late 19th Century

An English Bullet Crossbow, And A French Target Bow
The First Circa 1765, The Second Late 19th Century
The first with associated slender steel bow (loose), engraved built-in gaffle retained by a sliding steel ring at the rear, folding back-sight and later sprung folding fore-sight above a small acorn-shaped finial, straight stock of tapering rectangular section carved with double line borders, steel mounts, inlaid with a shaped border engraved silver panel in front of the gaffle decorated with a scallop shell and foliage, and compressed steel pommel with raised moulded bands (steel parts rust patinated); the second of gun form, with octagonal sighted barrel (surface rust) cut for a string along each side at the breech, figured half-stock with a mount for the two-piece bow (missing) at the fore-stock, integral hand-grip, silvered brass cast and chased mounts (some wear) comprising trophy of arms side-plates, trigger-guard and butt-plate, the butt with shield-shaped plate on each side cast with a martial trophy within laurel and oak above 'Gautier A Montmartre', the maker or retailer; together with a steel bow for a crossbow, with later etched decoration (3)
The first 75.5 cm.