Die Die Armbruste auf den Schweizer Schützenfahnen

Abstract

The fireweapons shown on Swiss marksmen flags from the early 16th century were described by Hugo Schneider already in 1975. His work described the weapons, coming to the conclusion that the maker of the flags painted some weapons which were still existing. Unfortunately, Schneider was not able to say more about the crossbows shown on these flags. The present study introduces by describing two flags and the crossbows shown there. The author found some comparatives, which are described en detail.
It is found out that the horn bowed crossbow with its curious shaped stock shown on the Zürich marksmen flag was invented for suiting a spanning device. Furthermore, it is shown that this style bears some technical advantages compared with the usual cranequin lug. But the latter was easier for manufacture and therefore, it may be that the curious shaped stock was a special regional (Swiss?) design or used only for a short time.
Two comparatives for the steel bowed crossbow shown on the Bern flag are described. Their special features are the inlays of dark horn and painted decoration. In combination with their complicate locks with several axles the weapons can be dated in the 1530´s.
Although it is not possible to determine a special crossbow, which was presented to the flag´s artist, it can be concluded that the maker of the flags had a crossbow example.