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Title
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Incomplete Basic Crossbow Mechanism
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Collection Location
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Shanghai 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 Shanghai 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. In the photo, the mechanism is positioned upside down. Thus, the long rectangular protrusion at the bottom of the mechanism is the sight, or wangshan (望山). There would be two small hooks sticking out in front of the sight, which 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 is meant to connect the sight and nut to 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 bronze axle pins that would hold the mechanism together within the guo.
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Source
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Shanghai Museum
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Measurements not listed.
