Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 203
Military Equipment: Fire — Illustrated Explanations of Firearms II
Page 11

Treatise on Armament Technology, Volume 203

Military Equipment: Fire — Illustrated Explanations of Firearms II

On the iron coin The iron disk mentioned on the previous page., drill holes in a "lotus-pod" pattern A perforated pattern resembling the seed head of a lotus, likely used to distribute the force of the blast or hold multiple small projectiles. and place the powder above it. At the mouth of the barrel, place one large round stone projectile on top of the iron coin. It is even more effective to add crushed cast iron shousheng tieLiterally "raw iron," referring to brittle cast iron that fragments easily. and small lead pellets on top of the coin. If you are using only a single stone projectile, then the lotus-pod style iron coin is not required.

To support the weapon, take two pieces of thick wood, each about an inch in diameter and three feet long, and tie them together to form a forked stand A simple bipod.; this is done for ease of use. When facing the enemy to discharge the weapon, if you wish to hit a distant target, slightly elevate the "head" (the muzzle). If the enemy is close, within two or three hundred pacesA bu (步), roughly 1.5 to 1.6 meters., you need only level the stand to fire.

The end of the handle must be braced against a large rock to prevent recoiloriginal: "houzuo" (後坐), literally "backward sitting.". The operator should stand to the side; it is not necessary to hold the weapon during the discharge.

As long as one carries hemp rope, prepared round stones, iron coins, iron nails, gunpowder, bamboo touch-holes, and oil-puttyA sealant made of oil and lime or clay used to waterproof and seal the firearm components., along with construction tools such as axes, saws, and round chisels, these items can be carried in quantity with the army. The weapon can then be constructed immediately on-site wherever needed, as its components are very light.