Great Ming Military

Note:  This blog post was originally part of my Sha Chuan (沙船) article. However, after updating that article with additional information, I...

Drawing of a Lian Zhu Pao (right) and Yu Gu Pao (left), from 'Wu Bei Ji Yao (《武備集要》)'. Lian Zhu Pao (連珠砲, lit. 'Rapid bead cann...

Drawing of two Hu Wei Chong mounted on a double-ended stand, from 'Wu Bei Ji Yao (《武備集要》)'.

Drawing of a paper fuse (top right), paper sealing tube (middle right), wooden fuse (top bottom), shell casing (top left) and bombard (botto...

Di Lei Lian Pao (地雷連砲, lit. 'Ground thunder rapid cannon') Drawing of three soldiers firing three Di Lei Lian Pao, from 'Wu Bei ...

Drawing of a Jue Chong, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'. Jue Chong (钁銃, lit. 'Mattock gun'), also known as Gou Tou Chong (勾頭...

MINOR UPDATE JANURAY 28, 2024 Two Ming troopers shooting Zao Hua Xun Huan Pao, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'. Zao Hua Xun Huan Pa...

Drawing of a Huo Zhuan and its content, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'. Huo Zhuan (火磚, lit. 'Fire brick') was a type of bric...

Cutaway drawing of a Huo Tong, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

MINOR UPDATE MARCH 06, 2025 The Jia Ba Chong (variously written as 夾把銃, 夾靶銃, 夾欛銃, and 夾耙銃, lit. 'Fastened handle gun'), also kn...

UPDATED DECEMBER 19, 2023, minor update NOVEMBER 12, 2024 Da Zhui Feng Qiang (大追風鎗, lit. 'Great wind chasing gun') Drawing of a...

Drawing of a Yi Hu Pao, from 'Jun Qi Tu Shuo (《軍器圖說》)'. Yi Hu Pao (翼虎砲, lit. 'Winged tiger cannon') was a late Ming per...

Drawing of a Bian Chong, from 'Wu Bei Yao Lue (《武備要略》)'. Bian Chong (邊銃, lit. 'Border gun' or 'Frontier gun'),...