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Title
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Han Dynasty 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). Within the bronze casing, or guo (郭) there is a sear, or gouxin (钩心) that would connect the sight and nut and the trigger. 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. This specific specimen is missing the trigger, or xuandao (悬刀), and the two axle pins that hold the mechanism together in the guo.
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Source
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Shaanxi History Museum
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Length: 14.1cm
Height: 11.7cm
Weight: 0.519kg
