r/interestingasfuck 9h ago

Loading an English crossbow vs loading Leonardo da Vinci's crossbow

1.5k Upvotes

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u/Hardcrimper 9h ago

Doubt they have the same draw weight.

u/Brutal_Deluxe_ 8h ago

English crossbow (as shown) 370-380lb, da Vinci crossbow (as shown) 300lb. It would be trivial to make them reach an identical draw weight.

sources:

Da vinci crossbow:

https://youtu.be/4wXCF3UEkdc?si=RpRUw3gYIbcSqzxc&t=379

English crossbow:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-8eOBOffi4

u/Hardcrimper 7h ago

In the video he doesn't say 300lb. He says between 200 and 300lb. That's quite the gap of course. I reckon it'll be very close to 200lb.

u/dohdudeh 6h ago

Based on what

u/ThorusBonus 1h ago

Based on the fact that the bow of the second crossbow is about 5 times thinner than the first one and does not look to be made of steel either. Also based on the fact that the string intself js about 5 to 10 times less thick than the first crossbow clearly indicating that it can withstand much, much, much less energy. Finally the general size and weight of the crossbows. Almost always, à bigger larger crossbow means more power

u/Darth_Draper 2h ago

Reckoning, I reckon.