Vol. 41 No. 1 03/2011
Title |
The Rise and Fall of Distinctive Composite-Metal Cannons Cast During the Ming-Qing Period |
Author |
Huang, Yi-long |
Genre |
Article |
Pages |
73-136 |
Download |
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Language |
Chinese |
Key words |
military history, history of technology, material culture, composite-metal cannon, artillery |
Abstract |
No later than 1620, the Chinese of the Ming Dynasty started to cast muzzle loading smooth bore bronze cannons following European models. After two decades of effort, the Ming army was able to manufacture in 1642 high quality “Dingliao grand general” cannons, which combined the advantages of advanced cast-iron technology developed in southern China and iron-bronze composite barrels invented in northern China more than a century before. Later on, Han craftsmen in the Qing army also began to mass-produce cannons with a similar structure, the “Shenwei grand general” cannons, in 1644. The quality of these composite cannons was considered unsurpassed in the 17th century because they were not only lighter and cheaper than bronze cannons, but their barrels could also endure stronger explosive pressure. Yet, this advanced cannon-casting technology was forgotten in the long peaceful period after Qing’s unification of China. |