What would the standard Qing soldier's equipment look like during the 1750s?

by TEmpTom

What about the Ming soldier's equipment during the 1650s?

Royal_Hofner

Okay, I don't know if I can pinpoint exactly to the 1750's, at most I can pick out some key stuff of early Qing, but I'll try to be generally accurate in my descriptions and provide some historically accurate replicas, actual artifacts in museums, and drawings/pictures made during the Qing.

http://blog.daum.net/_blog/BlogTypeView.do?blogid=0MtXn&articleno=8380868

the link above showcases some of the equipment a Qing soldier would have. Granted, the armour, helm, and gambeson shown belongs to higher ranking officers of the army, so it is far more elaborate than what an average standard Qing soldier would wear. For an average soldier, you could expect something like the below

http://pds22.egloos.com/pds/201103/17/62/a0022162_4d820ccdc45fa.jpg http://cfile205.uf.daum.net/image/203ABF284A71C6222176D4 http://ojsfile.ohmynews.com/STD_IMG_FILE/2011/0830/IE001343187_STD.jpg

As you can see, the armour consists of many interlocking pads and guards that try to optimize both mobility of the wearer and the even spreading of pressure from an attack which minimizes injury. Although the armour looks like thick cloth with small metal buttons on the outside, in effect the armour was inlaid with plates or rings (mostly plates) somewhat like the picture below.

http://kookbang.dema.mil.kr/newspaper/tmplat/upload/20140114/thumb1/YA_NP_20140114_00801542.jpg

Now, for the weapons. First of all, we can't forget the bow and arrow. Because of the Manchurian influence, Qing soldiers were heavily trained in the bow and arrow, archery was a part of their military exam I think. Anywho,

http://pds18.egloos.com/pds/201108/13/98/a0114898_4e46725235794.jpg http://pds20.egloos.com/pds/201108/23/98/a0114898_4e532a86b3d8f.jpg http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200809/25/21/f0070021_48db5525c05c4.jpg

The above bows are some of historical bows used by Qing soldiers during the late 17th and 18th century, sometimes called the composite "Horn Bow" 角弓 because of its material, which consisted of bamboo, Bull tendon, Buffalo horn, Oakwood, and other stuffs. The portrait in particular is from 1760 and depicts a Qing guard. Qing bows had similarities with Jurchen and Korean bows, but contemporary sources suggest that Qing bows were far heavier and larger than its Jurchen or Korean counterparts. Some suggest that this meant the Qing archer might fire a little slower, but would be able to shoot their volleys to a larger distance with greater pound-per-inch.

Qing arrows are very interesting. Rather than having one arrowhead shape, they developed dozens of shapes to be used in different military contexts. Some of the more heavier ones were for "sniping" like purposes or against heavily armoured foes, others were light and used by platoons of archers to create a "no-go" zone on the battlefield by incessant volleying.

http://ojsfile.ohmynews.com/STD_IMG_FILE/2008/0106/IE000854263_STD.jpg

Swords. Now as far as swords, many types were used, single-sided, double-sided, piercing swords, slashing swords, two-hand, one-hand... etc. But what we have most visual record of is the cavalry saber, which was actually also used during the Ming dynasty, I think. It was a one-hand sword with a single edge, mostly used for slashing. It would be called a Dao 刀 in Chinese, and looked something like this.

http://a3.att.hudong.com/28/04/200000031913127166046390968_950.jpg http://www.shbowuguan.com/uploads/allimg/140315/1-140315102R5c8.jpg http://i01.i.aliimg.com/wsphoto/v0/722955043/Chinese-Sword-Chinese-traditional-font-b-weapons-b-font-font-b-Dragon-b-font-and-Qing.jpg

I think these swords resemble the sabers and cutlasses of the West both in its aesthetic and function, but I'm not a weapons expert.

Polearms. As far as polearms, not much had developed anew that could really distinguish the Qing from the Ming. Your classic crescent-moon style spears, curved glaives, tridents, were all still in use. Some of these polearms would remain standard issue for Qing soldiers until the Industrial Era.

http://www.dongabiz.com/lib/daumEditor/attache/upload/126_ja_hu_01_113.jpg http://pds.joins.com/news/component/htmlphoto_mmdata/201111/16/htm_201111169373243004011.jpg

Firearms. Here is where my shallow knowledge runs out. As far as I'm aware, the Qing dynasty preserved and developed the rifles, cannons, and other firearms that were already a big part of the Ming military. Some of the Qing rifles or 火繩銃, literally "flamed-rope gun", increased in size compared to previous times and some required tripod stands to correctly aim or even another person, if it was large enough. Here it really seems more like a small cannon than a big rifle.

http://c5.ilbe.com/files/attach/new/20130310/377678/432152333/920548194/4d432feeeb4b8e676126da9f3e6f6e5e.jpg http://pds12.egloos.com/pds/200810/02/23/f0017223_48e46b6448d3b.jpg http://pds11.egloos.com/pds/200810/02/23/f0017223_48e46bf0c9397.jpg

Of course, also in use by the Qing military were various time-set explosives, cannons, and such. But atm I don't have any visual sources that I trust on those weaponry.

I am not a historian of China so I'm guessing this only raises more questions than answers. But I hope it at least helps you build a visual image.

TEmpTom

No answers?