Crossbowyery
This is my first post at this forum. However, I have been making various forms of archery equipment for years: Asian, European, native American, and so on, as well as several siege weapons, and crossbows, including some large siege crossbows, with doubled bows. I'm curious as to the design of crossbows from the late Tang to the Ming dynasties in China, in particular, the design and materials of the prods on crossbows across the period of nomad domination. Do I have it right that during this time, the design of crossbows worsened, and the Chinese reverted to using simple rising pin triggers as opposed to their complex bronze locks, and that the prods were all-wood, rather than composite construction?
Speaking for Stephen (who's out on a trip), he once told me that the Yuan dynasty had been similar to a "cultural revolution" as far as Chinese techniques were concerned and that a lot of knowledge had been lost during that period. Especially bronze casting never recovered its peak.
Hence, no more of these very clever Han style crossbow mechanisms. The later style Ming crossbows were supposedly copied from European (portuguese) designs whith a more simple mechanism.
However, when I visited the Army Museum in Beijing, I could not say that Ming devices were overly simplistic. There were a lot of siege machine shown that were quite elaborate, together with multiple bow heavy crossbows, early artillery, early rocketry, even flying bombs...
Stephen will probably clarify what he meant (or what I understood wrong).
Hence, no more of these very clever Han style crossbow mechanisms. The later style Ming crossbows were supposedly copied from European (portuguese) designs whith a more simple mechanism.
However, when I visited the Army Museum in Beijing, I could not say that Ming devices were overly simplistic. There were a lot of siege machine shown that were quite elaborate, together with multiple bow heavy crossbows, early artillery, early rocketry, even flying bombs...
Stephen will probably clarify what he meant (or what I understood wrong).
Simplification is often considered an improvement. The question to be resolved is, which device worked better?
the simpler mechanism on crossbow wasn? t due to the arrival of fire arms?
In terms of crossbows, I don't think that simplification is an improvement. The Han mechanisms are actually very simple, robust and easy to use, they are smooth, enable easier aiming; everything is good. A rising pin mechanism jogs the stock when used, can take lighter draw weights, is less reliable.
Maybe the decline in crossbow mechanism construction was due to fire arm use. I don't know, but I'm sure someone else on this forum will have the answer.
Maybe the decline in crossbow mechanism construction was due to fire arm use. I don't know, but I'm sure someone else on this forum will have the answer.
Romain's comments are correct.
I jave some detailed illustrations of the construction of a Ming crossbow. The mechanism was made of antler and, according to the Ming author, frequently broke.
I jave some detailed illustrations of the construction of a Ming crossbow. The mechanism was made of antler and, according to the Ming author, frequently broke.