THE CROSSBOW Mediaeval And Modern by Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey 1958 HC DJ Vtg
A very nice clean copy of this first edition hardcover book. Two small (1cm) tears to DJ (see photos).
Filling a gap in the history of weapons, this book is a loving treatise on the crossbow, the most important weapon of medieval warfare and still a popular arm for modern sporting, hunting, and target use. The author provides a careful study of the subject from its origins in the Middle Ages, tracing its swift rise as the weapon of choice for medieval warfare. (History has it that the crossbow was so deadly and highly effective that several popes interdicted it on the grounds that it was hateful to God and unfit for Christians!) In addition, the author discusses the construction of a variety of medieval crossbows and their modern counterparts; and includes a treatise on ancient projectile engines, which are said to have suggested the invention of the crossbow. Rich in detail and lively anecdote, with a wealth of b&w illustrations ranging from battle pictures to scale constructional plans, here is the definitive tribute to a beautifully constructed weapon that provided inspiration for the artist, engraver, inlayer, and mechanic