Huo Dan Tong (火彈筒)

Drawing of a Huo Dan Tong (highlighted), from 'Shen Qi Pu (《神器譜》)'.

The Huo Dan Tong was a hand-mortar-style flare gun designed by Ming Dynasty firearm specialist Zhao Shi Zhen (趙士楨) to be used in conjunction with the Jiu Tou Niao (九頭鳥) during night fighting, shooting Huo Dan (火彈) to illuminate targets for the heavy matchlock gun.

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Zi Mu Chong (子母銃)

UPDATED FEBRUARY 13, 2022, minor update DECEMBER 29, 2023

Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新書》) variant

Drawing of a Zi Mu Chong and its iron canister grenade, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

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Fei Meng Pao (飛礞砲)

Drawing of a Fei Meng Pao, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Fei Meng Pao (飛礞砲, lit. 'Flying lapis stone cannon') was a type of handgonne that shot a small iron canister grenade instead of the usual stone or lead ball. It can be considered a primitive predecessor to hand mortar and grenade launcher.

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