UPDATED 10 OCT, 2023
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| Drawing of a Jian Qiang with its stock, from 'Shi Lv (《師律》)'. |
Jian Qiang (劍鎗, lit. 'Sword gun', or possibly 'Sword spear') was an mid to late Ming period improved handgonne/proto-matchock originated from Shaanxi (陝西) region of Northwest China. One of the fruits of innovation in North China to give the aging handgonne a second lease of life and keep up with the performance of matchlock arquebus commonly found in Southern China, Jian Qiang had a four chi eight cun long barrel with both front sight and rear iron sight, and mounted a nine cun and three fen long spearhead at the butt of the barrel. It also came with a detachable stock witha serpentine that doubled as sheath for the spearhead. The weapon was braced and fired normally like a matchlock gun when sheathed, but could be quickly turned into a spear and quarterstaff by simply removing its stock.
Ironically, despite having Jian (劍) in its name, Jian Qiang did not function as a sword.
Ironically, despite having Jian (劍) in its name, Jian Qiang did not function as a sword.
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