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Chinese Repeating Crossbow
The Construction of the Chinese Repeating Crossbow, Figs 171,172.
A, A. The magazine in which the ten or twelve small arrows are laid
(one on the other) when the weapon is made ready for use.
B, B. The stock in which the bamboo bow is fixed.
C. The lever that works the crossbow. The lever is hinged to the stock
of the crossbow and its magazine by metal pins, fig. 174, next page.
E. The piece of wood along the upper surface of which a groove is cut
for an arrow to rest in, and that also has a notch in it to hold the bowstring.
This piece is attached to the magazine and forms the lower part of it.
How to Work the Crossbow, Fig. 174, Next Page
By pushing forward the magazine by means of the lever, the bow-string
is automatically caught in the notch above the trigger, A, fig. 174, next
page.
At the moment when the bow-string is thus secured, an arrow falls from
the magazine into the groove cut out in front of the notch. An arrow cannot
drop from the magazine into the groove till the bow-string is in the notch,
fig. 175, p. 242.
The trigger consists of a little piece of hard wood. When the lever
is fully pulled back the trigger pushes the stretched bow-string upwards
out of the notch that holds it, B, fig. 174, next page. The trigger works
in an upright slot. It has its upper end enlarged to prevent it from dropping
out of the slot in which it moves up or down, fig. 173.
Fig. 173. - The Action of the Trigger of the Chinese
Repeating Crossbow.
B, The bow-string in the notch above the trigger ;
D, An arrow in the groove in front of the
bow-string ; E, The magazine which contains the supply
of arrows. |
