Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about
CHINESE REPEATING CROSSBOW
A page from the Illustrated Handbook of Military Techniques (兵技指掌图说), showing these crossbows in use by the Green Standard Army of Zhili. Written by Naer Jing-e of the Manchu Plain White Banner.
Perhaps one of the most famous and long-lived of Chinese weapons, the repeating crossbow dates back from the 4th century B.C. Its basic design has remained relatively unchanged until it fell out of use around in the early 20th century.
It is also known as the Zhuge Nu, or Cho-Ko-Nu, named after Zhuge Liang who is often claimed as the inventor. While Zhuge Liang made use of them, archaeological finds date back the invention at least 6 centuries before his time to the period of Chu.
The repeating crossbow stayed in use by China's armed forces up until as late as the 19th century.
These military versions tend to be on the large side. Many of these smaller ones that have survived appear to be more suited for civilian self-defense. Some of these arrows were poisoned with the very potent aconite poison, making it a formidable weapon against intruders.
And as always have a chilled day from the Viking.
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