Have you read a good book on crossbows?

[grndhntr]

I want to try to find a book about crossbows. I have read a few reviews on (I believe it's called) The Book of Crossbows. It sounds interesting and seems to have a good mix of history and how-to. I think it was written about the beginning of the 1900s. Can anyone here give a review or have you read another that would be a good read? After injuring my shoulder, l haven't been able to shoot my traditional bows (at least with consistency) and just started shooting and hunting with the crossbow. I took a cow elk with the crossbow during a late rifle season in Jan. here in Colorado and was well pleased with how well the crossbow performed (well, I guess it was the bolt and BH that performed!) killing her quickly (30 sec.) and cleanly (hit exactly where I wanted it and made an exit wound). Anyway, I wanted to learn more about the crossbows history and wondered if any of you could recommend a good crossbow book? Thanks. Grndhntr

[xboman]

Sir Raplh Payne-Gallwey wrote

Crossbow: Mediaeval & Modern; Military & Sporting. Its Construction, History & Management with a treatise on The Balista & Catapult of the Ancients & an appendix on the catapult, Balista & the Turkish Bow.

It has 328 pages + 23 pages of appendix and was 1st published in 1903.

This extensive and learned treatise is a work ever devoted to the crossbow, the most important weapon of the mediaval warfare and still a popular arm for sporting, hunting, and target use. The author is an engineer, ballistics expert, artist, and an outstanding shot.
.................................

One more comes to mind and it is simply entitled:

Crossbows by Frank Bilson published in 1974 with 138 pages.

Reprinted in 1983. This expanded edition provides a guide to all aspects of the device, History, construction, shooting, constructing your own bow and bolts, to the various sport and competition rules and organizations. 108 illustrations throughout the text.

..........................................

For more titles regarding "Deer Hunting", I can be of some assistance as my library on that subject valued at 17,000 USD consists of 126 volumes with many being limited editions, private printings, scarce, rare or extremely difficult to locate and expensive. Fascinating reading for the avid deer hunter.

Good luck in your hunt for good books.
Read only the best.

xboman

[grndhntr]

Thanks xboman. I'm not really into deer hunting as most books on deer are about the whitetail. I live and hunt in mule deer country- quite different animal and hunting style. Thanks though for the xbow book info. Does anyone else have crossbow book info?

[GaryL]

xboman, I must state that's one nice collection you have on Deer Hunting. Thanks for the info on the xbow.

[xboman]

1st off,

Thanks GaryL & it's been my pleasure grndhntr.

I leave you with a sample of a poem from one of my books which was limited to 750 copies...namely:

The Deerstalkers from Derrydale Press, 1930 Hitchcock Edition 198 pages
by Henry William Herbert (nom de plume Frank Forester)


A bumper of good likker
Will settle a quarrel quicker
Then justice, judge or vicar
****
So here's a cheerful glass
Let good humour pass


xboman