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Title
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Crossbow Mechanism
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Collection Location
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National Palace Museum
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Date
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Han Dynasty - Six Dynasties (202 BCE - 589 CE)
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Location
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China
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Description
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This crossbow mechanism held by the National Palace Museum is dated between the Han and Six dynasties period. Its specific location of unearthing is not listed.
The mechanism is made of bronze and it comprises most of the typical parts of a Chinese crossbow mechanism. The long rectangular protrusion at the top of the mechanism is the sight, or wangshan (望山). A part of the same component and hidden within the casing is the nut, or ya (牙), partially visible from the top of the mechanism as the small hooks inside the casing. The slightly curved component hanging out from the bottom of the casing and propping up the mechanism in the position it is shown in the photo in is the sear, or the gouxin (钩心). The whole mechanism is held by two axle pins within a casing, or guo (郭) which has a groove that goes down the middle of its top surface which would continue onto the wooden stock of the crossbow. This groove would be where the arrow rests during drawing and aiming. The trigger does not appear to be present in this specific mechanism.
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Source
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National Palace Museum
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Length: 11.5cm
Width: 14.4cm
Thickness: 5.4cm
