Bian Jian (邊箭)

MINOR UPDATE OCTOBER 9, 2024

Drawing of a Bian Jian, from 'Bing Lu (《兵錄》)'.

A Bian Jian (邊箭, lit. 'Border arrow' or 'Side arrow'), formerly known as Tong Jian (筒箭, lit. 'Tube-arrow') during Tang period, was a special short arrow that had a long history of use in China. Designed to be used in conjunction with an arrow-guide/overdraw device, the tiny arrow could achieve a much higher velocity and range compared to an ordinary arrow, and therefore difficult to spot and even harder to dodge. Furthermore, it could not be reused by the enemy unless they brought arrow-guides of their own.

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Yan Wei Pai (燕尾牌)

A different Yan Wei Pai, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Yan Wei Pai (燕尾牌, lit. 'Swallowtail shield'), sometimes simply known as Shou Pai (手牌, hand shield), was a long and slender hand shield that had a characteristic “swallow tail” shape. It was made of poplar, pine or tung wood and measured five chi seven cun in length and about one chi in width. Despite its length, Yan Wei Pai was light and agile. While it provided adequate protection to its wielder, it was too narrow to protect those who stand behind him.

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Zuan Feng Shen Huo Liu Xing Pao (鑽風神火流星砲)

Drawing of a Zuan Feng Shen Huo Liu Xing Pao, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

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