chinese crossbow

[CollectingNewbie]

If there is anyone who knows anything about antique chinese weapons, I need some help with a current auction claiming they have a chinese crossbow from early to mid 1800's. If you could pm me I will send the auction listing as we cannot post current listings. Thanks

[VANDOO]

THERE WERE EARLY CHINESE CROSSBOWS SOME THAT SHOT MULTIPLE BOLTS. THE CHANCES OF A REAL ONE SHOWING UP ON EBAY THAT IS LOCATED IN HONG KONG OR ANY OTHER PLACE IN CHINA IS VERY UNLIKELY. POST THE AUCTION # WHEN IT IS OVER AND WE WILL SEE WHAT THE OTHER MEMBERS SAY. BUT IF IT IS LOCATED IN THE SHANGHAI,HONG KONG, CHINA AREA I WOULD NOT BID ALSO TAKE A LOOK AT THE SHIPPING CHARGES AS THEY CAN BE A VERY BAD SUPRIZE FROM THOSE AREAS THEY ARE USUALLY MUCH MORE THAN THE ITEM.

[Philip]

When you post the auction # after the close, I can check the item out against the material in my reference books. I've also owned a few of these weapons over the years, and will gladly share any info that's relevant.

[fenlander]

Cossbows i believe were a Chinese invention. Originally used as a siege device for attacking fortified towns. Aparently around the sixth century BC according to the source I am reading, although this seems too old I think.

[Philip]

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]

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!!!!

[ausjulius]

Originally Posted by fenlander

Cossbows i believe were a Chinese invention. Originally used as a siege device for attacking fortified towns. Aparently around the sixth century BC according to the source I am reading, although this seems too old I think.

seems to be a good date, the romans had thema slo,
and from what i recall the sythians were the frist people known to use them and they used them as childrens toys...

many of the siberian natives have had crossbows for untold 1000snds of years , but mostly these were used for making traps , and they used the bow for hunting them selves,

i think the chinese were the first to use the crossbow as a military weapon,,

they made repeating crossbows with poisoned arrows and two man operated magazine fed crossbows with 20 arrow hopper fed magazines, they still used these int he 19th centuary,

[fenlander]

Originally Posted by ausjulius

seems to be a good date, the romans had thema slo,
and from what i recall the sythians were the frist people known to use them and they used them as childrens toys...

Yes i just checked further, they used crossbows a little earlier than the Romans.
Do you know which poisons they used on their arrows (or should I say bolts) ?
I was told the crossbow was banned in the renaissance by the church. Does anyone know why ? Not that it was any great loss with the English long bow being far more effective.

v