Wooden repeating crossbow, lian nu, also known as a zhuge crossbow, zhuge nu, with magazine formed in two halves secured by a wooden peg with steel disc clasp at the back. Binding in the front is missing. Lever handle is detached, joined to magazine and stock by two wooden pegs with steel disc clasps. Stock has a shaft but arched handle is missing.
Bow is made of three layers of bamboo staves with no binding material, fixed in the frontal part of stock by a wooden block.
Bowstring is of twisted sinew tied round the end of the bow through a hole.
The crossbow is operated by a trigger mechanism. By pulling the lever forward, a bolt falls from the magazine to a groove on the stock, while the bowstring is automatically pulling backwards until it is caught in a notch above a wooden trigger. The lever is then pulled back until the trigger presses against the stock. When the upper end of the trigger lifts the bowstring out of the notch, the bolt is discharged.
Used as a fortress defence weapon, especially in opposing cavalry and horses.
fighting
