Chinese crossbow replica

Romain · Post by **Romain** » Wed May 18, 2005 3:31 am

I went to Ju Yuan Hao yesterday and saw that a new "old" crossbow was under way...

This time, the mechanism is a simpler / older version without the bronze box around it.

Master YANG will simply cover it with a horn plate.

West · Post by **West** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 12:57 pm

That crossbow looks so much better than my replica attempt. Admittedly, I am resigned to using wood for the mechanism - that sounds a tad stupid, I realise, but I have no old locks to use, or new bronze to cast (and if I did, I would have no idea how to cast it). In any case, the wood holds up well enough to take 190 pounds of pressure from a bow (I wouldn't keep it like that for too long), and is smooth to shoot. The only major problem with it, I find, is it's lack of a sight with gradations for accuracy. The wood I used was hazel for the stock, ash for the mechanism - I live in southern England, and these woods are common.

Romain · Post by **Romain** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 3:59 am

Hello West,

On another forum in French (which is named webarcherie) we had a very long discussion explaining how the old chinese mechanism worked. I also posted my replica Han crossbow there.

These early mechanisms are so cleverly designed that a few members went to their working bench and started to build their own renditions.

One made a working prototype with wood pieces, then sent his parts to a bronze caster to have them duplicated in metal.

Two others decided to use steel plates and are very happy with the results.

If you can read French, check these 2 lengthy links (anyway, you can see the pictures

)

http://webarcherie.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=4187

http://webarcherie.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=4650

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Jun 08, 2005 7:53 am

Those are top quality pictures.

I can't read French, but my previous experiences wioth webarcherie tell me that babelfish does a pretty good job.

Dave

Romain · Post by **Romain** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 1:56 pm

Just posting here a beautiful mechanism I bought today.

Fully functionnal !

Romain · Post by **Romain** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 2:00 pm

As seen from the top. See that the arrow guide has space for the quarrel feathers too

Romain · Post by **Romain** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 2:04 pm

released

Romain · Post by **Romain** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 2:11 pm

completely knocked-down

Romain · Post by **Romain** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 2:14 pm

the two main mechanical parts (the release and the latch)

Romain · Post by **Romain** » Sat Jun 18, 2005 2:22 pm

See how well they adapt to each other

Romain · Post by **Romain** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 2:44 am

Just for those who might be interested, I weighted the parts separately and got the following readings (in grams, not grains) :

Release : 380 g !
Box : 317 g
Latch : 130 g
Trigger : 160 g
2 Axles : 143 g

Total : 1 kg 130 g !!!! Must have been designed for heavy bolts.

By the way, the long sighting pin means an archaic or rather an evolved mechanism ? The way the latch and release mate to each other looks rather like a progress compared to the usual small round axle found on other releases.

Diana · Post by **Diana** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 6:21 pm

Very lovely, I like the latest lock Romain.
Stephen; I mounted a Laminated Hwarang bow on the stock/lock you sent me. Sadly none of the indoor ranges here allow crossbows at all!
Even in Texas that whole concept of the Evil Crossbow lives on.
I will try to get out to a friends place in the Country to test it out at range, comparing to my New World Arbalest Finnish Crossbow.
Diana

Stephen Selby · Post by **Stephen Selby** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:47 am

By the way, the long sighting pin means an archaic or rather an evolved mechanism ?

I think that the sighting pins originally had gradations painted on them. Some had engraved gradations.

Thomas Duvernay · Post by **Thomas Duvernay** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 5:16 am

Neat, Diana

Pictures, pictures!

T

Romain · Post by **Romain** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 3:06 am

Yesterday, I picked up and had fun with my Han Style crossbow. Same as Diana, I could not use it at the club, I had to do it in my backyard.

122 cm wide from nock to nock
72 cm long
16 cm of brace height
61 cm of draw length. That makes 45 cm of working length to push the quarrel.

Leather string without serving. Priority is to make one as the release will otherwise chew the string quickly.

As you can see, the tillering is far from perfect...

Chinese crossbow replica

RE