[Low-Tech] Windlass and cranequin - Page 2

Icelander · 11-17-2010, 05:55 AM

Would the authors of Low-Tech be kind enough to share with me any sources employed to write the section on mechanical devices used to span crossbows?

I'm engaged in trying to write a consistent rule system for crossbows to use in my own campaigns and some of the assumptions made in this chapter seem to clash with my own (admittedly imperfect) understanding of the subject.

For example, I have trouble finding historical examples of 1.125 lbs. or 2 lbs. cranequins. The smallest I can recall are 3 lbs. or so. Also, the prices for cranequins, what are they based on? Payne-Gallway considered cranequins a far more expensive method of spanning crossbows than windlasses and therefore unsuitable for issue to common soldiers. Has this view been discredited?

In addition, I would love it if the authors could point me toward historical artifacts or authentic replicas of period windlasses, weighted and tested. Does the weight of the windlass given in Low-Tech include the stirrup necessary for the crossbow? Do they weight of the steel bows?

11-17-2010, 05:55 AM	#1
Icelander Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Iceland*	[Low-Tech] Windlass and cranequin Would the authors of Low-Tech be kind enough to share with me any sources employed to write the section on mechanical devices used to span crossbows? I'm engaged in trying to write a consistent rule system for crossbows to use in my own campaigns and some of the assumptions made in this chapter seem to clash with my own (admittedly imperfect) understanding of the subject. For example, I have trouble finding historical examples of 1.125 lbs. or 2 lbs. cranequins. The smallest I can recall are 3 lbs. or so. Also, the prices for cranequins, what are they based on? Payne-Gallway considered cranequins a far more expensive method of spanning crossbows than windlasses and therefore unsuitable for issue to common soldiers. Has this view been discredited? In addition, I would love it if the authors could point me toward historical artifacts or authentic replicas of period windlasses, weighted and tested. Does the weight of the windlass given in Low-Tech include the stirrup necessary for the crossbow? Do they weight of the steel bows? __________________ Za uspiekh nashevo beznadiozhnovo diela!