400 year old rapid loading crossbow - tested
I was told that this small lever action crossbow was a Border Reivers bow from around 1600 and used for raiding and civil defence. I have never been able to find similar bows to compare it against and group it with so have never been able to know if this was true; and I still don't.
So the next best thing is to run it through some trials and practical tests and find out if I think it would be suitable. Accuracy, power, penetration, rate of fire and ability to use whilst moving.
So that is what I did.
I now have a Patreon page where you can sign up to see bonus films, build blogs, behind the scenes and loads more stuff and just finishing a step by step build of a ballestrino (assassins) crossbow / todsworkshop
For budget medieval replicas of fantastic accuracy and value todcutler.com/collections including targets
For commissions and custom work todsworkshop.com
For those who enjoyed Arrows vs Armour todtodeschini.com
Some merch also available here below the video
todcutler.com/collections/tod...
Andreas Bichler's film that is NOT about a Da Vinci design but actually came from the Codex Löffelholz of 1505 can be found here • Shooting a reconstruct...
Massive apologies for the confusion and mistake
Codex Loffelholz - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ca...
Tod dressed up as a Tudor, firing a Crossbow on a Disability Scooter was the last thing I expected to see today! 😂👍
It was hilarious.
But definitely the best thing!
It was the best thing I have seen in a while.
It's creativity. Folks!
Eat your heart out, @modernknight
Call that a 'horse'? Where were the coconuts?
"We'll have to cancel tonights raid lads, I forgot to switch the charger on last night!"
Let's not go to Tod's Workshop - it is a silly place.
@@tubaterror And that should be a SPAM necklace, not pork.
@@2bingtim That's a LOT of SPAM...
Nuts. Where are the killer rabbit? 😀
The blurred out hole in the pants had me dying xD
little Tod is for a different website
@@BH-rx3ue Ye olde Toddler.
Makes him stroking his arrows look a lot dirtier lol
As soon as I saw it, I checked the comments! 😂
Tod, "Now we're going to talk about penetration..." 😃
Huh, I didn't expect the bolts to go through the gambeson. Interesting! The mobility shooter segment is glorious. :D I suppose shooting from horseback would help out a little, as the velocity of the horse adds to the shot. Not sure how much more energy you'd get out of that. Anyway, that little thing looks like a lot of fun. Can't beat its speed, outside of a magazine-fed repeating crossbow.
Surprised me too. Thanks and it has a better 0-4mph time on concrete; grass does not show its best side
I am shocked you didn't expect the gambeson to be penetrated - was sure I've seen you testing thrusting/cutting focused weapons and finding cloth armour isn't a great defence against the finer tip thrusting, but does well at cutting protection. I admit I wasn't expecting the bolts to sail through quite so unhindered myself, but penetrate well most often I had no doubts on.
also on the plus side, its fairly quiet (until you hit someone, and even then the level of noise increase is based on where their hit) and if your using it your either A: Ambushing someone at fifteen feet or less, or B: shoving the thing in someones face, probably at less the five feet.@@tods_workshop
Skall puts up some really interesting videos, but he has his work cut out for him now if he wants to beat Tod in full Tudor regalia riding his trusty mobility scooter into battle with plywood cut-outs! He's going to need to really up his game. :) Don Quixote rides again!
@@foldionepapyrus3441 The reason is because I've had a few crossbow bolts bounce right off a gambeson, depending on the tip shape. And this one is much weaker.
6:30 Tod’s tattered trousers trying to tame troublesome todger.
Terrific text transformation
@@OperationDarkside Totally.
Acceptable alliteration.
Bumble bee tuna...
I do not trust a man who wear to the right.
Now I have visions of Border Reivers launching midnight raids on their mobility scooters. Thanks Tod 😂
They do this after eating through their second munchbox.
It was their traditional steed of choice I understand
"Damnit I forgot to plug my scooter in this morning. We'll have to cancel tonight lads"
All wearing their dreaded pork necklaces
Yeah don’t underestimate these bingo bandits on their mobility scooters!😂
Maybe the scooter could be called "Rolling Thunder".
Ahhhh of course
A bit disappointed this video is not called medieval drive-by shooter...
and the horse "Scooter" hmmmmm hmmmmmmmm
Zapping horsy!
Border Reiver is a romantic sounding title, but you have to remember, they were raiders ...thieves who were usually hung if caught. They weren't looking for open warfare, they were just running raiding parties for the profit of it. In that context, a mini x-bow gives you or a few in your party, the ability to hold people 'on the draw'. That's great for intimidation, especially if your opponent is frequently unarmed and unarmoured.
Very true on all counts
It's funny how large scale criminal violence gets romanticised: border reiver, age-of-sail pirates, prohibition gangsters... I wonder if in a century we'll have cute kids shows about fentanyl smugglers.
@@QuantumHistorianWe already did, it was called Breaking Bad.
In his 1594 military treatise, Sir John Smythe wrote this about the border reivers: "Light horsemen borderers I will not take vpon me to set downe any thing for their instructions how they should vse their speares in the field, because that they themselues by their continuall exercise are so skilful with al such weapons as they do vse in the seruice of the borders." He considered them expert soldiers, at least in terms of using their lances. This suggests they did participate in open warfare at times, as we know from battles like Flodden & Solway Moss, & experienced captains respected their prowess. Smythe didn't write much else about borderers specifically, but he described light horsemen in general as wearing considerable armor.
Hey, my entire family name resents that accusation, I'd guard your cattle well if I were you!
That intro clip is something I did not expect, haha
Hahahah
If the USA had a medieval period this would be it 😂
Had to pause to laugh. Way to good
Rolling around on the floor crying with laughter at the thought of my 80 year old Mum on her mobility scooter taking on Scottish Reavers with her crossbow...... 🙂
Not me cause my mom would really do it but then again mom owns a SKS to deer hunt with
2:50 Tod with his 1970s "Adult Entertainer" mustache :)
Tod needs to bring back the stache!
I love that tache; wife hates it
2024: Tod with his "Adult Entertainer" trousers.....
My favorite mediaeval weapon, the mobility scooter! 😊.
Rider, "Deploy the Wheel Scythes!"
If there is an award for "KZheadr with most holes in clothes" , Tod will be a winner.😊
At least for the not strategically placed ones.
He is a working man and it shows. Its what makes his channel relatable to those of us who have in our lifetime worked with our hands for a living. Sadly the age of man where the majority of us learn and love a craft is dwindling. In its place we sit in an artificially lighted box for 8 hours a day unable to see the sun. So thankful for being away from that world finally!
@@Grey_Wulfewhat job did you work?
@@naturesfinest2408 I was a mechanic in the airforce I took that out into the civilian world and became a travelling technician working on oxidizer systems. Basically giant industrial air cleaners for factory plumes. Being able to weld, wire and wrench has loads of practical applications beyond work though. As a hobbyist I do a bit of gunsmithing and I reload my own ammo.
OMG that beginning is a certified meme, M&B blade players will slap something about rodoks in it.
Vlandian peasant trying to stop Battanian raiders
When Tod says he’s got a bollock dagger, he’s not messing around… nice strategic pixelation sir.
Yeah, I have clothes full of holes, too... but if you need to pixelate them, it's time to consider getting some maintenance done if you want to keep it.
@@walkir2662 let’s just be thankful he’s not a traditional scot.
I love the idea of some guy looking out of his window and seeing his wacky neighbour firing off crossbolts while driving around on a mobility scooter dressed as a Tudor.
Normal for England
I love these little crossbows. I finally had the happy confluence of having the funds and one being in stock, so I ordered it. When it arrives I'll be trying it from horseback. Jason Kingsley did a video with one about 4 years ago. Medieval drive-by he called it, I believe. He didn't shoot it from horseback, but he posited the idea that a handful of reivers with these could do a hit and run on a farmstead, shooting as they ride past, reload from a halt when in cover of a nearby wood or something, repeat as necessary to intimidate the opponent, that sort of thing.
You bring up the good point that horses are not just for moving while doing things, but ideal for historical "shoot and scoot" tactics, moving into danger when you are strongest, and retreating out of danger when you're weakest. Snipers and artillery today still do this. I know 19th and 20th century cavalry riflemen more about positioning and violence of action than efficiency or sustained threat. Unfortunately with this crossbow, the range makes it not as viable to dismount for accurate fire like those later riflemen would do, but it still follows the same logic. Reloading doesn't have to be faster than the enemy, it just needs to be possible to escape their own reach long enough to rearm.
Thank you so much and just waiting for bolt heads and it will be on the way.
@@tods_workshop Thank you, I'm looking forward to putting the latchet to the test, as it were!
The horse is also a little easier to control hands-free than the mobility scooter! Definitely looked pretty distracting to drive that with legs, whereas a good rider can control their horse without using reins at all.
Was that his neighbors in the background watching a man in period costume charge over a field on a mobility scooter firing a crossbow "Don Quijote style"?😂😂😂
Tod is officially our modern day Don Quixote. Someone get the best Spanish poet on this stat!
I can imagine an ambush with a couple of guys armed with these would be very terrifying.
Yep, as always it's manpower that matters.
@@ArniesTech ..or at least the /illusion/ of manpower!
Boondock Saints: The Reaver Years.
Jup i agree!! mobility scooters are a terrifying thing.
Would love more stuff about mounted crosbowmenship. Medieval records and inventories actually show mounted crossbowmen being relatively common, like on the norman boarder during the 100 years war, if not mentioned as the center of focus much like the heavy charge cavalry. There isnt all that much modern content about them and how they would use their crossbows. Dismounted or mounted. especially in earlier ages like the 1200s.
I agree we need more content on mounted crossbowers, though I'm personally more interested in the 15th century & early 16th century. In the 1480s, Pietro Monte mentioned mounted crossbowers as potentially effective against Swiss/German pike formations.
@@b.h.abbott-motley2427 Thats fair, im personally one for chronological order, so id like to see its more proto forms first. I think there was also a monk who went to Mongol court and came back recommending European powers putting more resources into mounted crossbows as well.
Between the pixelated hole in Tod's pants and the mobility scooter this is comedy gold!!😂 Thank you Tod for always being you! 👍👍
I have never seen Tod so beautiful as in these medieval clothes. Although Tod is trying to convince us that he is shooting these videos 1, but judging by the variety and quality of the videos, it must be a whole team.
Mostly I film on my own as this one was, but sometimes I have a camera operator. I have just shot an unusually complex film on fire arrows with two other camera operators and a runner, but that is very unusual
This was exactly the follow up to your original showcase of this cute little crossbow I wanted! Really shows this thing is dangerous without good armour, and as armour fades out of use with the introduction of blackpowder it might well be a really good weapon. (Edit: at least for some era's of history and civilian settings)
Thanks and glad it was what you needed
In the era this sort of crossbow existed, good armor could stop a ball from wheellock pistol (800 J or so) or even an arquebus (2,000+ J), not to mention a couched lance (300+ J) or a powerful crossbow (200 J). The most minimal armor designed to protect against sword thrusts would be proof against this crossbow.
@@b.h.abbott-motley2427 well in era before it was just mail on gamebson, thats sufficient at protecting you from death against most bows, its worth mentioning that in even in that era 90% of people were not wearing plate armor
how many rievers and their typical foes could really afford passable armor? .if they had anything, it was probably cheap stuff made by the local blacksmith using any scrap iron they could find.
I have to say I love your style of advertising your shop. You show off cool weapons from the period and sell them almost like a medieval/renaissance merchant would touting the features and why you would want them. I never feel inclined to skip because they are also short and sweet. I must also add that it did work in getting a sale from me as I bought a bush knife a little while back and am very happy with it. Keep up the great work and great content!
Thanks and the idea is you learn something you didn’t know before and I make a sale or two
Wouldn't be caught dead without my porkleg necklace
Lots of fun, and a pretty clear indication of why mobility scooters never replaced cavalry horses.
There's also the psychological effect of being able to shoot at people - I can see many ne'er-do-wells running off if a bolt flew by their head.
Yeah, I guess it would also have a sobering effect on a lot of drunken inn fighters if the waitress you have just emptied your mug on comes back with one of those things loaded and a very no-nonsense face. 😅
There are historical sources comparing the effectiveness of mounted archers and mounted crossbowmen. their conclusion is the same - a crossbow is convenient for a foot soldier, and a horseman needs a bow. Mounted crossbowmen were considered as warriors with one-shot weapons - they were placed to the left of the shock squad so that they fired a volley before a collision. You have clearly shown the validity of these judgments.
Something to consider: This was not about pitched battles where you are trying to kill the enemy and break their lines- it was about nipping over the border and stealing some cattle. Having a bow that when hit would really hurt but not be instantly fatal would be a bonus as Murder was somewhat more frowned on. This is the sort of weapon to make some one keep their heads down and would not alert everyone like a gunshot would. Great video Tod.
Extra points for the scooter, it's brilliant :D Saw The Mikado once where the character of CoCo got bored of a third act patter song, and busted out a mobility scooter and did figure-8s around the singing players. Same energy, brilliant both times.
I'd be super interested in you doing a video on fire arrows specifically
And I filmed it last week!
I didn't expect Tod to go full Python. But it worked! Loved the improvisation.
I know this was meant to be a serious, at least non-comical, experiment, but it had me laughing quite a bit. Your neighbors must think you're mad. I love it!
Cool stuff, love it. Though a slight correction, the Border Reivers were active from the later 15th Century all over the 16th century until the very, very early 1600s. In the 16th century they started to favor pistols, but also many still used bows and some had lighter crossbows, that is true. The standard body armor was the jack-of-plate, so a padded vest reinforced with small metal pieces. Some had chainmail, others had breastplates or a breast and back plate.
I wonder what your neighbors are thinking when they see you riding a scooter in 1600 clothes shooting a crossbow "Alan! He's at it again!". Love your videos mate, always informative and fun 💙
Really good episode, Tod. Thanks.
what an fabulous and entertaining episode! Thank you Tod!
Good job I enjoyed watching that thanks. Keep them coming.
Great stuff as always
Great video as always ❤
Splendid stuff as usual Sir 👍👍👍
Great vid again Thank you Respect
I replay 10 times the intro!! Epic, thank you Tod
The part on the mobility scooter was priceless! Looked like so much fun! Would love to see move videos featuring that crossbow and scooter! Perhaps shooting other crossbows from off the scooter?
Brilliant video. Enteraining, informative, creative - and funny! Top job Tod. 🎉
Todd, your mighty stead, Thunder, was amazing! And some of the funniest things i have seen in a while.
All crossbow videos require the phrase: _"And now, let me show you its features!"_ Great vid Tod. The mobility scooter part must've certainly risen the views within American AR-15-carrying grannies!
Great video Tod
Best thing ive seen this week!
Fascinating. I think you need to have a word with Jason Kinsley and Zac Evans about shooting while mounted. With regards to mail. I have read somewhere that pointier bolts are needed - no heads, just a point - and this is why lamellar armour predominated in the far East. Perhaps you might put that to the test?
I'd love to see some tests with a 13 gram or so bodkin bolt
From the blurred out hole in the pants to the absurd combination of costume and crossbow with a mobility scooter, I've never laughed as much with any of Tod's videos! Extraordinary
Best in-video ad ever! Tod Cutler ad in a Tod's Workshop video? Yes please, tell us more.
LOL that intro is a thing of beauty and worthy of a short clip with no context.
Andreas Bichlers crossbow is based on a depiction in the Codex Löffelholz (Nuremberg 1505)
Yes - thanks and apologies. Very much my mistake
Tod this is by far the funniest edited video you've put out yet
Now I just want the Tod's Workshop collab with Matt Berry, shooting crossbows on mobility scooters
I just love that little bow!
Love the mace heads
Great video, Todd! I would love to see a video about the different types of bolts. Like you did with arrows.
Excellent video again. Glad to see the mention of the Leonardo crossbow design and reproduction made using that system. Showing of human ingenuity no matter what era. Also respect for use for the motorscooter. Truly the fiercest of all steeds.
My partner and I just laughed so much at the mobility scooter experiment, thanks for cheering us up 😂
Best opening cut scene of the year, don't know how your going to top this.
What a magnificent beast Thunder is...😁 Thanks Tod, ymmd 👍
Loved it! It was like seeing a future glimpse of Tod in his twilight years, still crafting and insisting on testing everything in the field. 😁
I think this is my favorite video from Tod ever. The bit ont he scooter was hilarious! Love Arrows vs Armor, but this was pure comedy!
I love the mobility scooter bit of course, but I wanted to say thank you for describing where the bolts hit. I'm watching this on mobile and could barely see them on the target
the opening few seconds teaser was AMAZING
Todd, have you asked the folks at Border Archery in Scotland?They may be able tell you more. Take care.
That was the most British thing I've ever seen.. pure Gold. Love it Tod
You were right with your comment. Who wouldn't want one. Looks like good fun.
The mobility scooter bit made my day, proper good fun !
This is nothing short of glorious from start to finish
I loved The Modesty Blurry-Patch during bolts sharpening xD
Fletched spears, javalins, arrows, bolts, darts and plumbata! All amazing! Thank you
I remember seeing this a couple of years ago, and i was already fascinated with it. Super cool little crossbow. I guess you can say that the effective range is about the same as a pistol, but it's much quieter, faster to reload, and less sensitive to rain, overall I think a lot is going for it despite the many drawbacks.
Beyond delightful!
I admire how, despite really not having any fun at all, you carry on with your research in spite of it all!
One thing I noticed when you were shooting from the shoulder for distance is that the shots had decent repeatability of strike. So the mechanical draw eliminated human factors that can change the limb-to-limb tension differences in a draw, such as for very light crossbows or the nock placement on the sting of a bow.
That's one magnificent horse you have there
The unexpected turn at the end was hilarious!!
This is just brilliant.
Thanks
Nicely done was not expecting the mobility scooter calvary test..
I love this little crossbow. Quick, easy and compact. If I was out in the sticks somewhere, and looking for something for self defence of me or my livestock in the 1600s, I'd be looking for something like this.
Lol might be time to get new pants Tod
Tod on a mobility scooter is hilarious! More please!
Love it Tod! Faced with a bunch of these guys shooting at you c1600, you're gonna wonder why we gave up carrying shields! ....No mobility scooters were harmed in the making of this video.
Very satisfying sound as it latches... clunk click every trip 🙂 Couldn't help chuckling at the mobility scooter sequence... despite my better judgement ;-)
Just wanted to say that’s a beautiful steel bow on that crossbow!
Top quality content Tod 😂
The crossbow is my favorite medieval weapon, I have a small collection
love that little thing :)
That was a fun episode. Good read on the Reivers is Dish of Spurs by Robert Low - 3 novels in series - mentions latch bows, a fair bit
I haven't laughed so hard in ages. Thank you sir!
This looked fenomenally dumb and fun. My fuzzy hat off to your sillyness, Tod. This quite improved my day. What a beautiful, handy little crossbow. There is the thing that came to my mind though - given that it is so fun and easy to use, it stands to reason that people would practice with it just for the fun of it, as you said, the whole family could be proficient enough with it. Not a bad thing to have at home, really!
Lots of interesting info and a bonus tip...... The opening was brilliant and priceless....... the opening of the video that is.........😂😂😂😂
Whether or not they used it, I think the Reivers would have seen the potential value of this type of weapon. They weren't overly concerned with open warfare, it was much more hit and run on unsuspecting targets. Reivers typically would be lightly armored, the typical attire being at most, a helmet, a 'Jack', and high leather boots to protect them from brambles. Especially with the consideration that Reivers looked down on some firearms for being unreliable in the wet conditions of the lowlands, I think this would have fit in with their tactics quite well.
Perfect intro, seeing him steer a mobility scooter with his feet while shooting a crossbow - "why wouldn't you want this". Artistic.
That was quite the video. Interesting facts and Tod in costume shooting targets on a mobility scooter. Perfect way to end the day. Maybe you could see with Jason Kingsley if he wants to try it on a horse. IIRC he tried your version of Jorg's instant Legolas, maybe he'll wanna try this too.
The Hoover Horse to go along with the lockdown crossbow!
Love to see the "Adder" lever action x-bow by Jeorg Sprave!