Original Item. Only One Available. This is an exceptionally scarce crossbow pistol that dates to the early 19th Century, and is likely of German or Swiss origin. It is missing its bowstring which could be replaced. These were made for home recreational shooting, and the bowstring would be drawn back through the guide shown above the stock within the brass barrel. Different from a normal crossbow, this piece utilizes a barrel in a similar way to a firearm. The thin iron prod is still fully intact.
The design of the pistol is similar to that of a period flintlock or percussion pistol, especially in the butt of the stock & the trigger. The front & rear sights are still fully intact. The lanyard ring is intact and screws out with a bit of resistance. There are no markings we were able to find on the crossbow. The crossbow is roughly 14” long with a 17½” prod. The condition is fair overall without any visible broken parts.
There is very little reference for crossbows of this period, as they were handmade and often for personal use, so this is a very scarce example. We have not taken apart the crossbow, but doing so could shine some light into its origin. The trigger pulls back but without a bow-string there is no way to draw it.
This is a fantastically rare piece of weaponry, a 19th Century crossbow pistol, ready for further research and display!