Compendium of Military Preparations, Volume 122

Illustrated Descriptions of Firearms

The cannon is cast from refined bronze original: 精銅 (jingtong). While literally 'fine copper,' in this period it refers to the bronze alloys used for durable artillery. and measures three feet in length. The rear of the barrel is fashioned into a tapered breech original: 蘸尾 (zhanwei), referring to a cascabel or button at the end of the cannon for handling and recoil management, and it sits atop a wooden carriage. Five swivel pins original: 提心 (tixin); these are likely handles or mounting pins cast separately to allow the cannon to be pivoted or lifted. are cast separately to accompany it.

Each cannon and its carriage requires a crew of two soldiers: one to load the charge and one to fire. When charging into the midst of an enemy fleet, the weapon can be rotated in all directions original: 八面 (bamian), literally 'eight sides,' indicating its versatility on a swivel mount to maintain a relentless bombardment. A single shot is capable of piercing through several men at once. When aimed downward to strike the hull of a ship, it shatters the planks, causing the vessel to leak and sink; in this manner, the enemy may be captured with minimal exertion.

The interior of the piece is loaded with lead shot and gunpowder original: 發藥 (fayao), literally 'firing medicine'. For long-range engagements, it can strike targets at over two hundred paces A 'bu' or pace was roughly 1.5 to 1.6 meters; thus, the range was approximately 300 meters.; at closer range, it is effective at over one hundred paces. When the shot strikes a person, it pierces through the chest and abdomen; when it strikes a ship, it passes entirely through the heavy wooden planks. The precision of hitting targets at various distances depends on the angle of elevation and depression original: 低昂 (di'ang), while the quantity of gunpowder used must be adjusted according to the weight of the lead shot. For naval warfare, there is no weapon more advantageous than this for striking the enemy at both near and far distances.