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...

Some ceramic containers that could be made into Hui Ping and Yan Guan (highlighted), from 'Wu Bei Ji Yao (《武備集要》)'. Hui Ping (灰瓶, li...

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

19th century oil painting of a Qing-era war junk. Image Credit: National Ma...

MINOR UPDATE JUNE 10, 2025 Scale model of a Sui Dynasty capital warship equipp...

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...

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 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...

This blog post contains some extra information about Chinese polearms, which is exclusive to my Patrons and can be accessed here . If you ...

UPDATED JANUARY 10, 2025, minor update MAY 26, 2026 ( Note:  The descriptions below correspond to the items in the image from left to righ...

Huo Qiu (火毬, lit. 'Fire ball') was a type of primitive incendiary trebuchet ammunition made of paper, bamboo basketry, or even cla...

A brief overview of the development of naval mine during Ming period. Article highlight includes limpet mine and a primitive torpedo. ...

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

Shui Di Long Wang Pao (水底龍王砲, lit. 'Underwater dragon king bomb') Drawing of Shui Di Long Wang Pao, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)...

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 a Si Chuan Fei Shi, from 'Zhan Shou Quan Shu (《戰守全書》)'. Si Chuan Fei Shi (四川飛石, lit. 'Sichuanese flying stone...

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