[Low-Tech] Windlass and cranequin

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by whswhs

I take it that you did not understand the clause I didn't find any place that provided such information? I made a guess. If you have actual weights that are heavier, please feel free to use them.

Bill Stoddard

Payne-Gallwey's 'The Crossbow' was cited numerous times in playtest comments. I can only say that I am suprised if you did not read it.

In any event, if the stats for cranequins are not a deliberate nod to some new scholarship challenging Payne-Gallwey's work and of which I was unaware, they are simply not accurate. All authorities I have read agree that cranequins were heavier than the weights given in Low-Tech and while historians unaccountably neglect to give GURPS $ Costs, it may be safely said that cranequins are more expensive to construct than windlasses.

[whswhs]

Originally Posted by Icelander

Payne-Gallwey's 'The Crossbow' was cited numerous times in playtest comments. I can only say that I am suprised if you did not read it.

In any event, if the stats for cranequins are not a deliberate nod to some new scholarship challenging Payne-Gallwey's work and of which I was unaware, they are simply not accurate. All authorities I have read agree that cranequins were heavier than the weights given in Low-Tech and while historians unaccountably neglect to give GURPS $ Costs, it may be safely said that cranequins are more expensive to construct than windlasses.

I did indeed read it, but I don't recall seeing a figure for the weight of a cranequin. Can you cite a page number?

Bill Stoddard

[Icelander]

Originally Posted by whswhs

I did indeed read it, but I don't recall seeing a figure for the weight of a cranequin. Can you cite a page number?

Bill Stoddard

Page 131 for a good description and speculation about cost, p. 138 and p. 142 for very good illustrations and p. 164 for a statement that a 1.5 lbs. goat's foot lever was light compared to cranequins or windlasses.

In addition, replicas have been made of many of the cranequins that Payne-Gallwey describes and these weight between 3-6 lbs.

Blackmore's 'Hunting Weapons from the Middle Ages to the Twentieth Century', also cited in playtest comments, has the same 3-6 lbs. weight range.