Li Tou Biao (犁頭鏢)

Li Tou Biao (犁頭鏢, lit. 'Plough head javelin')

Drawing of a Li Tou Biao, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Li Tou Biao was a type of specialised harpoon designed for naval warfare. Unlike regular javelin, Li Tou Biao had a very long shaft and weighted spearhead. It was designed to be thrown from a high place (i.e. a fighting top of a large warship) at a target positioned at lower place (i.e. a small boat, enemy boarding parties. etc.), in a fashion not unlike traditional spearfishing. The heavy spearhead of Li Tou Biao could damage or even outright punch through a smaller boat.

Since Li Tou Biao was very heavy, it would encumber its bearer quickly. Ming troops usually carry only a few Li Tou Biao and supplement it with lighter javelins.

Xiao Biao (小鏢, small javelin)

Drawing of a Xiao Biao, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Xiao Biao was the lightweight version of Li Tou Biao designed for anti-personnel use. It replaced the heavy spearhead of Li Tou Biao with a lighter one, but was otherwise identical to Li Tou Biao.