Chinese crossbow trigger mechanism

Timeline

1. 501–550Territories of Northern Wei and the Southern Dynasties · ChinaBronze crossbow triggers excavated from the Northern and Southern Dynasties period show a trend toward regional standardization in sight graduations and trigger-blade form. Components such as the raised sight improved aiming accuracy; combined with strong crossbow bodies and stocks, triggers were widely used in city defense and infantry crossbow formations.
2. 581–600Guanzhong armaments manufacturing district · ShaanxiAfter unification, the Sui central armaments manufacturing system inherited Northern and Southern Dynasties trigger technology, issuing bronze crossbow triggers together with foot-spanned and repeating crossbows to fubing bow-and-crossbowmen. As a detachable core component, the trigger was easy to repair and replace, supporting the Sui army's ranged striking capability against Goguryeo and the Turkic.