Awesome Chinese repeating crossbow: my half-scale model in action

The Chinese repeating crossbow was a masterpiece of functional design, made entirely from bamboo and other wood. It was widely used for centuries, right up to the 20th Century. Less powerful than the old European crossbow, but still powerful enough to kill. And just watch how fast it could shoot! I managed 10 shots in 8 seconds.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Chinese
• repeating crossbow
• crossbow
• weapons
• projectile weapons

[ScienceViking66]

Fantastic. Can you make me one?

[ianrusselluk]

@ScienceViking66 Holiday's over and I can't spare time to fiddle around making another! I could certainly get the exhibit workshop guys to make you one, but it would probably cost you more than you want to pay.

[RaptureandZune]

@ScienceViking66 Frankly the Chinese repeater cross bow is quite the opposite or Viking weapons. It was designed to be used by scholars as a self-defense weapon, and relies on poison to kill.

[ScienceViking66]

@ianrusselluk That's a shame, especially as I have no money. It looks like a wonderful toy, though. But not very Viking :(