Ba Mian Xuan Feng Tu Wu Hong Lei Pao (八面旋風吐霧轟雷砲)

Drawing of a Ba Mian Xuan Feng Tu Wu Hong Lei Pao, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Ba Mian Xuan Feng Tu Wu Hong Lei Pao (八面旋風吐霧轟雷砲, lit. 'Eight directions tornado mist-spewing roaring thunder cannon/bomb') was a type of swivel-mounted gun, similar to Bai Zi Chong (百子銃), that shot a cast iron explosive shell. It was one of the few Ming cannons that shot explosive shells.

Read more

Di Yong Qiang (地湧鎗)

UPDATED NOVEMBER 17, 2023

Sprung trap (left) and unsprung trap (right), from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Di Yong Qiang (地湧鎗, lit. 'Ground surge spear'), also known as Di Yong Shen Qiang (地湧神鎗, lit. 'Ground surge divine spear') was a simple yet deadly pressure plate-activated spiked trap. Designed to be easy to use, mass-producible and disposable, Di Yong Qiang consisted of a flat, rectangular wooden frame, a wooden plank serving as pressure plate, and up to eight steel spikes connected to the pressure plate with ropes and eye bolts.

Read more

Tong Zi Jian (筒子箭)

Drawing of a Tong Zi Jian (highlighted), from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Tong Zi Jian (筒子箭, lit. 'Tube arrow'), also known as Tong Jian (筒箭), was a large, open-ended bamboo tube that contained fifteen to twenty darts, sometimes poisoned. This weapon was supposed to be launched by hand, although the proper method of using it is yet unknown.

Read more