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Title
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Six-dynasties Bronze Crossbow Mechanism
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Collection Location
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Nanjing Museum
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Date
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Six Dynasties (222CE - 589CE)
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Location
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China
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Description
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This bronze crossbow mechanism held by the Nanjing museum is dated to the Six Dynasties period. Its exact 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 that serves as the trigger, or xuandao (悬刀) is missing from this specimen, and within the bronze casing, or guo (郭) there is a sear, or gouxin (钩心) connecting the sight and nut and the trigger. The mechanism would have been held together by two bronze axle pins, but this specimen is missing both. 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 severely corroded and oxidised, so much so that the components of the mechanism appear to have
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Source
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Nanjing Museum
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Width: 11.2cm
Thickness: 2.9cm
