Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 3).djvu/174

 can be gauged by comparison with the ordinary but large crossbow in front of it.

Doubtless the most primitive of mechanical winders is that which takes the form of a cap of metal, or tackle block, made to fit over the butt of the stock. On either side of this cap is a wheel, while fastened at right angles to the top of it is a narrow cylindrical bar or roller, manipulated by long-shanked handles at either end. Fastened to this roller at the extremities are single cords, which, after passing over wheels that are attached to the hook of metal made to grasp and draw back the string, return over the first pair of wheels referred to on the tackle block, after which they are once more drawn back and permanently secured to the metal grasp-hook. By this arrangement of duplicated wheels, a very powerful pull on the string of the crossbow is attained, on the principle of the modern differential pulley. To charge the crossbow the tackle block is placed over the butt of the stock or tiller, and the grasp-hook with the double wheels attached to the string. The handles working upon the roller are then wound