Repeating crossbow

Anonymous

China

 19th century

Wood, metal, rope

Gift of Museum’s Friend Association, 2007

Inv.2007.10.1

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This type of weapon is called chu ko nu in China. It’s a small crossbow with a lever which is also known as the “Zhuge crossbow”. It draws inspiration from the crossbow developed by Zhuge Lians (181-234), a famous military leader and Minister of the Chu kingdom (221-263). Soldiers had to hold it with their right arm while operating the lever with the left one.

The reservoir can hold a dozen bolts. Once the previous bolt was fired, the following one automatically came in its place. The rhythm was then of ten shots in fifteen seconds, which allowed a hundred men to send a thousand shots on enemy troops in that same lapse of time. It’s the only type of crossbow with a shooting rhythm superior to that of a bow.

The bolt or quarrel, called jian was short, slim and with no feathering. The point was made of iron, squared headed with a short power of penetration compensated by the addition of poison. The effective power range was of approximately 76,55 yards and the maximal range of 218,72 yards. This weapon, despite its approximative aim and its unreliable precision, was still used in 1894-1895 during the Sino-Japanese war.

Ancient Chinese treaties mention the existence of a model able to shoot two bolts at the same time. The largest magazine was then partitioned lengthwise in order to have two rows of bolts that dropped at the same time. The reality of such a model has yet to be proven.