VERY RARE GOTHIC CROSSBOW BOLT C.1400-1500

For demonstration or target competition. 2 ½” length, iron, forged in one piece with tapered conical socket. The point of slightly tapered rectangular profile with low pyramidal tip. The base of the rectangle discretely and uniformly stepped in to the junction transitioning as faceted to the round section socket. Forging the point with that precision and uniformity, to that form, unknown to us other than this specimen, indicates a need for accurate performance beyond that needed on the battlefield. Its weight dates it to the full plate armor period, after 1400. It’s even so precisely made that it stands on its socket. Target competition is well known and as it is weapon of war, winners were rewarded handsomely. (Aside: In the original 1938 Robin Hood movie, when Robin escapes Prince John’s feast, he is pursued by crossbowmen using bench rest target crossbows, not weapons.) As near all bolt heads are battlefield finds, examples such as this are exceedingly rare and this is the only one we have seen in 50 years.