!!!!!SOLD!!!!! Alan Bilbow Miniature Antique German Sporting Crossbow !!!!!SOLD!!!!!

!!!!!SOLD!!!!!  This is a miniature of an antique German sporting crossbow made by famous miniaturist Alan Bilbow.  The ivory inlaid walnut stock measures 7 1/2″ long, the blued steel bow measures 6 1/2″ wide when strung.  The string is made of several black fibers that are wrapped in the center and each end with an even black finer fiber.  The top of the stock almost fully inlaid in ivory that has been handsomely scrimshaw carved & inked.  There are additional scrimshaw carved ivory inlays on each side, the bottom, & the butt of the stock.  The trigger is blue steel.  There is a multi fiber string reinforcing to the stock just below the bolt release.  There are four steel cross pins in the stock that are finished in the white, the rear most of which is used to hold the string winder.  The string winder or cocker is a rack & pinion mechanism.  It has a crank handle with a swiveling walnut knob.  To use it, there is a wrapped fiber string loop at one end which is slipped over the but of the stock until it rest against the rear most cross pin.  With the pinion fully extended toward the string, the claw part of the winder catches the string, & the crank handle is then utilized to bring the string back to the string release..  The winder is made of steel & finished in the white with a modest amount of engraving to the top side.  There is what looks to be a handle on the other end from the claw, but I’m not sure what it’s purpose is.  Also included is one wood shafted bolt with steel tip, the fletching’s showing some damage.  The bolt measures 3″ long X .112 in diameter.  All the above beautifully displayed on the included walnut display stand.  There is a rectangular brass plaque with scalloped corners engraved & filled in black “”German Sporting” Crossbow”” included.  It is loose to put where you want on the display stand.  See the photos to really appreciate the quality of this beautiful piece!  Because of it’s fragile nature, I will not be bring this item to shows unless requested.  Stock # MC-66.  !!!!!SOLD!!!!!