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Title
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Second Year of Jianchu Crossbow Mechanism
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Collection Location
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Shanghai Museum
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Date
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Eastern Han Dynasty, 77CE
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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 77CE. 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 surface of the casing that tells us about the mechanism’s time of manufacture. The text on the surface dates this mechanism to the second year of the Jianchu reign title, which corresponds to 77CE.
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Source
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Shanghai Museum
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Measurements not provided
