Great Ming Military

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》)'.

Qian Dan Yi Wo Feng (鉛彈一窩蜂) Drawing of Qian Dan Yi Wo Feng in shoulder bag for transportation (top right), and the same cannon when deployed...

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 Fei Kong Hua Shui Shen You Guan, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Drawing of a Xuan Feng Pao, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'. Xuan Feng Pao (旋風砲, lit. 'Whirlwind trebuchet') was a type of tr...

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...

Drawing of Zhang Xue Yan's war cart, from 'Deng Tan Bi Jiu (《登壇必究》)'. The Zhan Che (戰車) was a type of war cart designed by Z...

Drawing of Ye Meng Xiong's Qing Che, from 'Deng Tan Bi Jiu (《登壇必究》)'.

Different types of Song Dynasty Li Pai. From 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Drawing of a Zhua Zu Sha Ma Feng Lian, from 'San Cai Tu Hui (《三才圖會》)'. Zhua Zu Sha Ma Feng Lian (撾足殺馬風鐮, lit. 'Foot-catchin...

Components of Gang Lun Fa Huo, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'. Gang Lun Fa Huo (鋼輪發火, lit. 'Steel wheel igniter'), originall...

A Shou Pai, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'. Shou Pai (手牌, hand shield) was a long and narrow hand shield made of popla r or pine woo...

Hand Grenade variant Five huo dan, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Drawing of a Fei Huo Xiang Mo Chui, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'. Huo Fei Zhua  (火飛抓, lit. 'Fire flying catcher'), also know...

Tie Lian Jia Bang (鐵鏈夾棒, lit. 'Iron chain with clubs') Drawing of a Tie Lian Jia Bang, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'. Tie Li...

Drawing of a Bu Cheng (highlighted), from 'Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新書》)'. Bu Cheng (布城, lit. 'Cloth fortress') was a defensi...

UPDATED NOVEMBER 9, 2023 Drawing of a Huo Qiang, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'. Huo Qiang (火鎗, lit. 'Fire spear' or 'F...

While not as visible as sword , spear , bow  or  gun , axe remained an important weapon in Ming arsenal. For the most part, Chinese axes we...

Drawing of a Li Hua Qiang, from 'Chou Hai Tu Bian (《筹海图编》)'. The Li Hua Qiang (梨花鎗, lit. "Pear Blossom Spear"), likely ...