Repeating crossbow

A crossbow with a bolt magazine and lever-operated mechanism that loads and releases several bolts in succession without individual reloading.

Zhuge nu: A Chinese repeating crossbow operated by moving a lever back and forth. This named design exemplifies the lever-and-magazine mechanism.
Zhuge Liang: A Chinese statesman and military commander of the Three Kingdoms period, traditionally credited with improving the repeating crossbow. Later tradition associates his name with the Zhuge nu, though the attribution is uncertain.
Chinese military history: The history of armed forces, warfare, and military institutions in China. The repeating crossbow appears in Chinese military texts and equipment.
Hand crossbow: A compact crossbow designed to be held and operated with one hand. It is smaller and typically loaded individually rather than from a magazine.
Crossbow: A projectile weapon that uses a bow mounted horizontally on a stock and released by a trigger. The repeating design modifies the crossbow’s stock, bow, and release system.
Warring States period: A period of intense interstate warfare in China from 475 to 221 BCE. Early Chinese repeating-crossbow evidence is associated with this era.
Siege warfare: Warfare centered on attacking or defending fortified places. Repeated shots could help defenders sustain fire from protected positions.
Arbalest: A powerful medieval crossbow with a steel bow and a mechanical spanning aid. Its emphasis on heavy draw and penetration contrasts with rapid repetitive firing.
Bolt (projectile): A short, heavy projectile designed for use with a crossbow. The magazine stores these projectiles for successive shots.
Han dynasty: A Chinese imperial dynasty that ruled from 202 BCE to 220 CE, with a brief interruption. Texts and military practice from this period document repeating crossbows.

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PolybolosCompared with: It shares the repeating principle but uses a different loading and power system.