Articles | Volume 17, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-17-359-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/ms-17-359-2026
Research article
 | 
26 Mar 2026
Research article |  | 26 Mar 2026

Mechanical analysis of historical crossbows

Zhe-Ran Wang, Yang Zhang, Chieh-Ya Lin, and Kuo-Hung Hsiao
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Latest update: 26 Mar 2026
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Short summary
This study examines how ancient crossbows from China and Europe worked and how their designs changed during shooting. By studying historical examples and building visual models, we explored how the parts of the crossbow moved and interacted. The results show that although Eastern and Western crossbows used different ways to draw the string, both improved power and accuracy effectively. This research reveals how different cultures developed similar technological solutions.
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