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Title
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Inlaid 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. 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 bronze casing, or guo (郭) there is a sear, or gouxin (钩心), which hangs exposed from the mechanism in this photo, connecting the sight and nut and the trigger. The mechanism is held together by two bronze axle pins. The top surface of the bronze casing has a groove that goes down the middle which would continue onto the wooden stock of the crossbow. This groove would be where the arrow rests during drawing and aiming. The surface of the mechanism has been corroded and oxidised.
There is engraved text on the side of the sight but it is not clear enough to be made out from the photo. The museum description also indicates that this crossbow mechanism has inlays in its design, but it is not visible from the given photo.
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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
