A CHINESE REPEATING CROSSBOW CHU KO NU

A very rare example produced in the late Qing Dynasty, the stock made entirely of teak, the bow of exceedingly thick bamboo, the cocking lever of handforged iron. The magazine with sliding cover intact and subdivided into two compartments, allowing the weapon to fire two bolts at a time. Bow with most original rattan wrapping, retains original rawhide cord. Second half of the 19th century. Very minor wear. Overall length 65.5 cm. The Chu Ko Nu remained in use virtually unchanged in form for many centuries, until late in the Qing Dynasty. It allowed 20 bolts to be fired in 15 seconds, thus a force armed with such weapons was able to direct a sustained and substantial barrage against its opponents. Fore quite similar, see the Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution Collections, Bath. Condition I