Great crossbow, carriage and hinged mechanisms
A giant crossbow spanning 42 braccia, with wheeled carriage, springs and iron-barred hinges
Both half-leaves are given over to a great crossbow (balestra) and its fittings. A note at the top records that the arms measure 42 braccia at their extremities, and a caption above the bow's arc repeats the 42-braccia span; on the left, two hinges are joined by an iron bar. The sheet also shows the bow mounted on a low wheeled carriage together with spring packs and trigger mechanisms.
On this page
Crossbow with arms spanning 42 braccia
A caption above the arc of the crossbow marks its span as 42 braccia, and a note at the top places the same measure at the extremities of each arm. The great bow dominates the upper half-leaf.
Hinges joined by an iron bar
On the left, two hinges (cerniere) are shown linked by an iron bar (palo di ferro), part of the bow's frame or mounting.
Wheeled carriage and firing gear
The bow is set on a low wheeled carriage, with spring packs, a windlass and trigger mechanisms sketched around it.