Chu-ko-nu is chinese hand held repeating crossbow. Its predecessor is crossbow Ts´an Lien. Chu-ko-nu have magazine of 10 bolts and could fire 10 bolts in 20 seconds. This crossbow is invented by certain Chu Ko Liang during the later Han period (23-220 AD). He also invented Ts´an Lien, smaller version of Chu-ko-nu and it had a capacity of 4 bolts. Chu-ko-nu have high rate of fire, but in cost for reduced accuracy and penetration. It have range probably not exceedin 50-75 yards. It was used primarily against massed troops. Cavalry would be especially vulnerable, since horse is large target and wounded animal is hard to control. This crossbow is excellent fortress defense weapon against massed troops. Chu-ko-nu is used up until the Boxer Rebellion in China (1899-1901). Chu-ko-nu was fired from the waist.
Bow of Chu-ko-nu is composed of three strong pieces of bamboo, overlapping each other. On the upper part of the stock lies magazine. Magazine can be opened and than bolts could be dropped in from above. The lever is joined to the stock. By pulling lever weapon is operated. As it thrust forward the string drops into the notch, arrow falls into its place (slide), in front of the string. When lever is pulled back the string is realesed by trigger-peg and bolt is propelled.
Bolts have steel points and small feathers arranged in a slightly spiral form. Bolts is small, light and have little penetration power. For this reason it was in history sometimes dipped in poison, in order that a slight wound might prove fatal.
It was also used with two magazines and it could proppeled two bolts, instead of one, every time its bow recoiled.
Lian Nu
Lian nu is generic term for any type of crossbow which fired multiple bolt at the same time. It is multi-shot chinese siege crossbow. The term Lian nu first appeared around the end of the Warring States period.
Lian nu is often mentioned in Chinese military writings and records (for example Records of the Han which mention wheel-mounted Lian nu).
Lian nu was highly valued advantage in situations where density of fire was required (for example on mass troops), however advantage was for cost of reduced accuracy. Shot from Lian nu was like a buckshot from a shotgun, scatter of bolts in a spread.
Zhuge Liang of Shu during the Three Kingdoms period invented in 225 AD, the Yuan Rong. It was Lian nu which could fire 10 iron bolts simultaneously, each 20 cm long.
Lian nu also could be interconnected, and triggered with a single realease string. Tao Gu wrote (in 950 AD) about conecting 12 of them.
Lian nu was used around till late Ming dynasty period.
Chu-ko-nu:
Lian Nu:
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