QUALITY**RARE**1810-1852 English Thomas Conway Manchester Hunting ‘Stone Bow’ (Large Wood & Steel Bullet Shooting Crossbow) In A Bespoke Period Solid Mahogany Case With Inscribed Plate To ‘Henry Burgess Springfield Salford’. Sn 15212 Crossbows and Bows

**QUALITY**RARE**1810-1852 English Thomas Conway Manchester Hunting ‘Stone Bow’ (Large Wood & Steel Bullet Shooting Crossbow) In A Bespoke Period Solid Mahogany Case With Inscribed Plate To ‘Henry Burgess Springfield Salford’. Sn 15212 - 15212

The bullet-shooting crossbow, referred to as “Stone bow,” is a modified version of the classic crossbow. The bow was usually constructed with wood and steel, depending on the preference. It typically utilizes bullets and stones as projectiles instead of the traditional quarrel. The Stonebow reached its height of popularity between 1760 and 1810. The designs of the period, as well as later versions, remained popular even after the invention of the gun, probably due to their silence when shooting. This trait made the Stonebow a good weapon for poachers. Thomas Conway was an English Gunsmith with premises in Manchester at 179 Chapel Street, 3 Market Street & 43 Blackfriars Street, Deansgate between 1803-1852. This is a quality made Stone bow by Conway of Manchester. It has its original walnut rifle type stock with steel butt plate and chequered wrist and steel trigger guard with extended tang & finial. The wood has some aged old knocks & bumps to be expected. The top of the stock is slotted for its integral cocking leaver and the ovoid plate at the top of the action is signed by the maker ‘Conway Manchester’. The action works as it should. The cocking lever with handle is retained in its slot by means of a sprung metal catch at the butt end. The steel bow with central winged 4” prongs is riveted to the stock via steel tangs either side. All metal work is clean with no rust or signs of repair. The Stonebow measures 30” at its widest and 29” length. The Stone bow is contained in its quality period made solid Mahogany case with hinged lid and lock (key absent). The lid has a brass plate inscribed ‘Henry Burgess Springfield Salford’ no doubt the name of the original owner of this fine piece. The heavy solid case has no damage . The Stone bow is un-strung but the case contains remnants of an original period cat gut bow string dried with age. The case measures 31 ½” x 33 ½” x 6 ½”. The price for this large Stone bow unusual to find with case includes UK delivery. Sn 15212

£2,750.00