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Title
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Western Jin Dynasty Bronze Crossbow Mechanism
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Collection Location
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Nanjing Museum
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Date
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316CE
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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 year 313CE. 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. In the photo the crossbow mechanism is oriented strangely, what we see is the bottom of the mechanism. The long rectangular protrusion at the top of the mechanism, which is out of view, 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 protruding out towards the camera on the right is the trigger, or xuandao (悬刀), 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 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 severely, so much so that the components of the mechanism appear to have fused together.
The museum was able to date the mechanism precisely to 316CE. This could indicate that there is engraving on the crossbow mechanism that dates it to a specific time and place of manufacture. Alternatively, this information could be gleaned from archaeological context.
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Source
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Nanjing Museum
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Length: 18cm
Width: 16cm
Thickness: 3.8cm
