Cat-astrophic Crossbow Failure

And not to stir things on such a quiet Saturday, but let me sort something:

Where you live, you can't own anything more dangerous than an air rifle,

And you CAN have a 275 lb crossbow?

Here you can have (as has been beaten to death) anything short of a cannon - but we restrict crossbows like guns.

Am I the onliest one cornfused?

Our laws are somewhat confused, fortunately crossbows are not classed as firearms
1. They don't use fire
2. They don't qualify as a 'lethal barrelled weapon'

Of course they are potentially an 'offensive weapon' but so is a glass or a hammer.
They can only be carried in public if covered up.

Yes the Ivory inlay is my work and there's a nice butt plate of horn.
Actually the crossbow isn't that good as a repro', the bow (made from car leaf spring) is far too thin to be authentic, although I made a start on forging an authentic one years ago, but had no facilities to heat treat it...(I still have a big bar of EN8) and the trigger is a bit spindly, but it's not too bad, it needs a good heavy bolt to shoot else it kicks like a mule, it doesn't shoot any further than my longbow, but it can throw a much heavier projectile. It can just penetrate 1/8" steel plate, it puts a huge dent (10mm ish) in it and a small hole.
Del

Ours too, before discussing the law you nearly need to determine, state, county and sometimes town because it varies that much.

Inlay and butt plate - photos?

That is SOME performance!

Your wish is my command...the stock is a bit dusty.

See what I mean, that trigger looks a bit under nourished?
Del

Trigger actually (to my unschooled eye) looks about appropriate to the piece

The inlay tho.....my what handsome work

It is a beautiful piece of hand carved wood. It shows high skilled craftsmanship.Now, may be you can tell us what wood essence have you used, and most importantly, where did you get it. I don't want to imply anything but a fella' (name is Long John Sterling) has booked a complaint with the sheriff about somebody stiling his ...leg.

that's some serious " knockdown power " ..

I was standing behind it with it firmly clamped on a bench...I'm not daft.
As I built the darned thing I'm fully aware of the forces and hazards involved, that's why I'm refurbishing it.<slaps furry head with paw>

Del

Good to hear that you took precautions, safety goggles too?.....

By the way did you not mean "re-fur-bishing"????

(To go with your "Cat-astrophic"?)

" ... did you not mean "re-fur-bishing"???? ... "

Not only meant it, but said it (see OP).

wow ,

now , i know , the root of " hair trigger " ..

Talking of triggers, it's got plenty of built in safety, it feels more like squeezing an old fashioned grease gun...then Kathungggg.
I once stood down range behind a brick wall and let a mate of mine shoot it at a old solid wooden fence panel we put up as a target. It sounded like an aproaching steam train and then whack...the whole panel shook.
Del

No! The piddle errr puddle on the floor is purely coincidence

Musta knocked your beer off the bench.

Say, Del, what are the bindings made of ? It looks horribly like some kind of cheap string you found in the potting shed.....Is it some kind of authentic stuff you made yourself ? I've probably missed it in one of your posts, but what kind of flaxy-whatever did they use to make bindings in the olde days? And, does it have to be treated with something to stop fraying (whale blubber or similar)?

I hope you've still got some in the wood

It's heavilly waxed hemp twine, sinew was also commonly used.
Bear in mind it's over 20 years old...I think the moths and bugs had been at it....they'd certainly been at my pom-poms. The horn bolt retaining clip also showed signs of insect attack.
I'll think need much _smaller weapons to fend off an insect attack!

When I write up the refurb, I'll explain the cunning way the binding is done to exert huge clamping pressure...and many other exciting secrets (of course I'll have to kill you afterwards)
Del

<sssspllllurrrrrfffffffffffffff> !

I just attended the Renaissance Festival (Atlanta, GA, USA) and I thought of you as I watched the archers. Will keep an eye-out for the refurb blog.