chinese crossbow

Philip · 21st October 2006, 06:09 AM

Archaeological evidence indicates that the crossbow in China remained an individual weapon for centuries. Numerous bronze trigger assemblies have been unearthed from the Zhou through Han Dynasties; these were mass-produced in government factories, and the component parts on many types are interchangeable. The crossbow's evolution into an artillery piece took time, and by the Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279) some very large stationary ones, often utilizing several composite-recurved bows hitched up in tandem, were in common use. Crossbow artillery, along with trebuchets, became obsolete early in the Ming (1368-1644) Dynasty with the gradual improvement of cannon, just as had occurred in Europe. Individually-fired, portable weapons also fell from favor after the 16th cent., when matchlock muskets were introduced via the Portuguese and intermediaries with contacts in the Near East.

fenlander · 21st October 2006, 05:05 PM

Yes this is interesting. Actually amazing they were so advanced so long ago. They also invented the rocket launcher in 1450. Placed a series of rockets onto a wheel barrow and it became the worlds first rocket launcher. It was also mobile!

Almost as effective as Hezbollah except it was in 1450 not 2006!!!!

CollectingNewbie · 21st October 2006, 05:19 PM

HAHAHA, Thanks for all the great information guys, Ive been out of town lately but Ill be sure to post the auction as soon as it ends.

Philip · 22nd October 2006, 07:32 PM

Fenlander,
Yes, the principle for the mobile rocket launchers is the same, although the ones Hezbollah has shoot further and have a bigger bang thanks to black poweder being supplanted by specialized propellants and high explosives in our time.

China did import some technology besides the matchlock about a half-century ago--remarkable is the number of breechloading cannons used by Ming and early Qing artillery units. The technology was brought to Asia by the Portuguese. The Chinese made some BLs that were of impressive size, larger than what Europeans were used to making. Their advantage was faster rate of fire than muzzle loaders, but the downside was lower chamber pressure (and thus shorter range) because combustive gases invariably leaked out between barrel and chamber-piece because there no effective way of sealing the joint completely. [the problem was not solved in Europe, either, until the latter 19th cent.].

What is truly remarkable about Chinese ordnance was the development, late in the middle ages, of some ingenious land and underwater mines, some detonated by timed fuses. The latter used some rather clever detonation devices which were waterproof. Less laudable were chemical weapons which sickened the enemy with noxious fumes or caused boils on their skin.

fenlander · 25th October 2006, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Philip

Fenlander,

What is truly remarkable about Chinese ordnance was the development, late in the middle ages, of some ingenious land and underwater mines, some detonated by timed fuses. The latter used some rather clever detonation devices which were waterproof. Less laudable were chemical weapons which sickened the enemy with noxious fumes or caused boils on their skin.

Do you know what chemicals were used ?

21st October 2006, 06:09 AM	#1
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	invention Archaeological evidence indicates that the crossbow in China remained an individual weapon for centuries. Numerous bronze trigger assemblies have been unearthed from the Zhou through Han Dynasties; these were mass-produced in government factories, and the component parts on many types are interchangeable. The crossbow's evolution into an artillery piece took time, and by the Song Dynasty (AD 960-1279) some very large stationary ones, often utilizing several composite-recurved bows hitched up in tandem, were in common use. Crossbow artillery, along with trebuchets, became obsolete early in the Ming (1368-1644) Dynasty with the gradual improvement of cannon, just as had occurred in Europe. Individually-fired, portable weapons also fell from favor after the 16th cent., when matchlock muskets were introduced via the Portuguese and intermediaries with contacts in the Near East.

21st October 2006, 05:05 PM	#2
fenlander Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 62	interesting Yes this is interesting. Actually amazing they were so advanced so long ago. They also invented the rocket launcher in 1450. Placed a series of rockets onto a wheel barrow and it became the worlds first rocket launcher. It was also mobile! Almost as effective as Hezbollah except it was in 1450 not 2006!!!!

22nd October 2006, 07:32 PM	#4
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	explosive-activated weapons Fenlander, Yes, the principle for the mobile rocket launchers is the same, although the ones Hezbollah has shoot further and have a bigger bang thanks to black poweder being supplanted by specialized propellants and high explosives in our time. China did import some technology besides the matchlock about a half-century ago--remarkable is the number of breechloading cannons used by Ming and early Qing artillery units. The technology was brought to Asia by the Portuguese. The Chinese made some BLs that were of impressive size, larger than what Europeans were used to making. Their advantage was faster rate of fire than muzzle loaders, but the downside was lower chamber pressure (and thus shorter range) because combustive gases invariably leaked out between barrel and chamber-piece because there no effective way of sealing the joint completely. [the problem was not solved in Europe, either, until the latter 19th cent.]. What is truly remarkable about Chinese ordnance was the development, late in the middle ages, of some ingenious land and underwater mines, some detonated by timed fuses. The latter used some rather clever detonation devices which were waterproof. Less laudable were chemical weapons which sickened the enemy with noxious fumes or caused boils on their skin.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

21st October 2006, 05:19 PM	#3
CollectingNewbie Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 160	HAHAHA, Thanks for all the great information guys, Ive been out of town lately but Ill be sure to post the auction as soon as it ends.