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Title
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Han Dynasty Gold-Plated Bronze Crossbow Mechanism
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Collection Location
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Shaanxi History Museum
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Date
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Han Dynasty (202 BCE - 220 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 Shaanxi History Museum is dated to the Han dynasty. 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). The two small hooks sticking out in front of the sight are a part of the same component as the wangshan and serve as the nut, or ya (牙). The rectangular handle at the bottom of the mechanism is the trigger, or xuandao (悬刀), and within the casing there is a sear, or gouxin (钩心) connecting the sight and nut and the trigger. The mechanism is held together by two bronze axle pins and held within a rectangular bronze casing called the guo (郭). The top surface of the bronze casing 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.
Remnants of the gold plating are visible in sparse patches on the mechanism. In the photo, they are particularly visible on the groove that holds the arrow on the guo. However, they have otherwise been corroded off the surface of the mechanism.
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Source
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Shaanxi History Museum
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Length: 11.5cm
Height: 12.5cm
Weight: 0.685kg
