Unique weapon of the Ming Dynasty — Chan (鏟)

Chan (鏟, spade) was a unique Chinese polearm with a crescent-shaped blade. It was, for all intents and purposes, an oversized chisel or "push axe", with a vertically mounted axe head that was used in thrusting motion (instead of swinging motion like an ordinary axe). The crescent blade was sharpened on both sides, so it could still chop reasonably effectively.

The most common form of military spade was also known as Yue Ya Chan (月牙鏟, lit. 'Crescent spade') or Ang Yue Chan (仰月鏟, lit. 'Rising moon spade'). Unlike its modern martial arts descendant (commonly known as monk's spade), military spade did not have a second spade head, but mounted a butt spike instead.

Tian Peng Chan (天蓬鏟, lit. 'Tian Peng's spade')

Drawing of a Tian Peng Chan, from 'Chou Hai Tu Bian (《籌海圖編》)'.

Tian Peng Chan was a variant of Yue Ya Chan with a convex crescent blade rather than a concave crescent blade. It could deliver a more powerful thrust than Yue Ya Chan, but could not parry as effectively.

Zhao Shi Zhen's modified Tian Peng Chan

Zhao Shi Zhen's modified Tian Peng Chan (highlighted), from 'Shen Qi Pu (《神器譜》)'.

Ming Dynasty firearm specialist Zhao Shi Zhen (趙士楨) also devised a modification for Tian Peng Chan. He attached two flamethrowers onto the weapon, turning it into a fire lance.

E Mei Chan (峨嵋鏟, lit. 'Emei spade')

A soldier with E Mei Chan, from 'Wu Bei Yao Lue (《武備要略》)'.

E Mei Chan was a very rare variant of Yue Ya Chan that seemingly originated from Jiangxi province. It had a recurved crescent blade that could be used like a hook, and its shaft was longer than standard Yue Ya Chan.