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Title
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Miniature Crossbow Mechanism
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Collection Location
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The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, US
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Date
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Eastern Han Dynasty (25CE - 220CE)
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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 Smithsonian Institution is dated to the Eastern 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) 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.
The description on the Smithsonian mentions that there are gold and silver inlays, but that is not visible in the photo from this angle. It is likely that the inlay would be located on the top surface of the mechanism’s bronze casing.
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Source
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The Smithsonian Institution
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Crossbow Top Measurements
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Measurements not listed.
