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Title
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Second Year of Jingyao Crossbow Mechanism
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Collection Location
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Shanghai Museum
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Date
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Three Kingdoms, 259CE
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Location
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Shu (around present-day Hanzhong, Sichuan, Chongqing, Yunnan, Guizhou, and north Guangxi)
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Description
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This crossbow mechanism held by the Shanghai museum is dated to 259CE. Its specific location of unearthing is not listed, but it would have likely been unearthed from former Shu territory.
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 called the guo (郭) there is a sear, or gouxin (钩心) that would connect the sight and nut with 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 mechanism is missing the trigger, or xuandao (悬刀) and the front bronze axle pin that holds the mechanism together.
It is not visible from the photo, but given that the museum titles this mechanism as being from the second year of Jingyao, it is likely that the year of manufacture is inscribed on the crossbow mechanism somewhere.
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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
