Description

CHINESE REPEATING CROSSBOW PLANS

Dragon or Tiger Chu Ko Nu Repeating Crossbow Plans
Ancient Chinese Zhuge Nu Lian Nu

This is a set of complete plans for a Dragon or Tiger “Chu ko nu.” It is an ancient Chinese mechanical repeating crossbow. The plans also include the printable dragon and tiger patterns that you glue on to your wood pieces, then cut out and wood-burn the beautiful pattern. Then you can paint or stain it how you want to. It is a crossbow and a sculpture, like a display woodworking item that is also fun to shoot!
I have been fascinated by this type of crossbow since my early teen years and have been building and experimenting with them for more than 10 years. This set of plans displays my most current and refined iteration. It is very fun to make this and see your own fine work come together, then see and feel the mechanism function smoothly. Very satisfying.
To build this you will need some small hardwood boards as will be listed on the cover page of the plans (this wood is available at hardware stores ex: Lowes). You will also need white glue, two wood screws, and one small nail.
The instant download for the plans is as one zip file.
Tools needed include:
Saw (prefer a band saw with scrolling blade, but a thin bladed hand saw can work)
Sand paper
Round wood file
Clamps for gluing
Drill with selection of bits
Wood burning tool