Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 203
Military Equipment: Fire — Illustrated Explanations of Firearms II
Page 10

Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 203

Military Equipment: Fire — Illustrated Explanations of Firearms II

Use Yun bambooA large, thick-walled species of bamboo (Bambusa rigida) prized for its strength. that is round and thick, measuring approximately four feet in length. Use a round chisel to clear out the internal nodes, leaving only the bottom-most node intact to serve as the base of the barrel. Leave approximately one foot and four or five inches of bamboo behind this base node to accommodate a wooden handle.

The head of the wooden handle should be shaped to match the natural concavity and convexity of the bamboo node, pressed directly against it. Around the exterior, use four thick nails, driving them in a staggered "dog-tooth" pattern to secure it. Then, use braided hemp or three-strand rope to tightly bind the weapon from the handle all the way to the mouth of the barrel to reinforce it.

Inside the barrel, against the bottom node, first deposit two inches of moist yellow clay. Place one iron "coin" An iron disk or washer., one-tenth of an inch thick and sized to the internal diameter of the bamboo, on top of the clay. Beside the iron disk, drill a hole for the fuse. It is best to first lead a double-strand fuse through the hole for about four or five inches, ensuring it passes straight through to the top.

Then, add one cattyA jin (斤), roughly 600 grams or 1.3 lbs. of gunpowder, though this amount should be increased or decreased depending on the size of the bamboo barrel. Once the powder is added, use a wooden rod to gently tamp it down until it is firm. Use a small amount of wadded paper or dry earth to pack it tightly. Finally, take another round iron disk, one-tenth of an inch thick and sized to the bamboo barrel...