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Title
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First Year of Yuankang Crossbow Mechanism
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Collection Location
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Shanghai Museum
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Date
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Western Jin Dynasty, 291CE
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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 Western Jin dynasty, 291CE. 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 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. This specific specimen is missing the two bronze axle pins that hold the mechanism together within the guo.
It is very faintly visible from the photo, but there are fine inscriptions on the guo of the mechanism. Given that the museum website titles this crossbow mechanism as one that comes from the first year of the Yuankang reign title of the Western Jin dynasty, it might be possible that the inscriptions indicate at least the date of manufacture.
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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
