1390. _Archives Camerales de Turin Comptes Tres. gen. de Savoie, No. 38, fol. 62v._ Achettez de Simond Brufaler armeur, de mons ... per le pris de un auberjon d’acier de toute botte. This expression “de toute botte” suggests that the armour was proof against all blows, that is from the sword, the axe--the “estramaçon” above alluded to--and also against the bow and the crossbow. In 1612 Sturtevant in his _Metallica_ writes on page 62 that the ironworker should “make things stronger than the Exact strength which the thing is to have,” and we find this borne out in an extract from the Armerie di Roma, Arch. Stat. c. 150, of the date 1627, which mentions old armour “a botta” which had been proved with “due e tre colpi dell’ arma alla quale dovevano resistere.”[80] The proof by the crossbow is mentioned by Angellucci in a note, quoting from the _Arch. Gonz. Copialett._, T. II, c. 65: “et si te manderemo doi veretoni di nostri saldi, como i quali tu farai aprovare la ditta coraza corno uno bono balestro di cidello.”[80] The last-mentioned weapon is the “arbalest à tour” or windlass crossbow. It would seem from M. Buttin’s researches that the armour “à toute épreuve” was proved by crossbow and sword, and that “à demi épreuve” by the smaller lever crossbow or by the javelin thrown by hand. These varieties of proof were indicated by the marks stamped upon them, one mark for the single and two for the double (see page 65). In some documents we have definite entries of arrows used for proof, which would naturally have exceptionally well-tempered points:-- 1378. _Reg. de la Cloison d’Angers, No. 6._ Pour deux milliers de fer pour viretons partie d’espreuve et autre partie de fer commun. The “vireton” was a crossbow-bolt which had spiral wings of metal or wood so fitted that it revolved in its course. 1416. _Compt de Gilet Baudry, Arch. Mun. Orleans._ Flêches à arc empannées a cire et ferres de fers d’espreuve. Here the “feathering” of the arrow with copper is specified, for it was this metal wing which, acting like the propeller of a boat, caused the arrow to revolve with increased velocity. These arrows of proof cost double the price of ordinary arrows, for we have entries of such projectiles in the year 1419 costing 8s. the dozen, while the ordinary quality cost but 4s. the dozen.[81] Details of the regulations of setting proof marks upon armour will be found in Appendices B, E, K.