"Weapons in Ancient China", by Yang Hong (1992):

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=books&n=507846

A passable translation of a book by a PRC expert on the history of Chinese weaponry. The best English-source on the subject so far. Many illustrations that are not easily available elsewhere. If you can find a copy, grab it!

Hint: The National University of Singapore Central Library has a copy.

"Oriental Armour", by H. Russell Robinson (1967, reprinted 2002):

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=books&n=507846

Very dated, but still probably the best English-language book that deals with Chinese armour (other than the rather skimpy but well-illustrated Chris Peers titles from Osprey). Some views are very questionable in light of newer research - for example, that the Chinese mainly used scale rather than lamellar, and that the Tang used alot of horse armour. But if you can also read the newer books in Chinese, it's a good source of comparison to see how dismal the state of the field in the West remains.

Best source in Chinese - "Zhongguo Gudai Junrong Fushi", by Liu Yonghua (1995, now out in a much cheaper and smaller paperback edition):

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=books&n=507846

See also the four books by Chris Peers in the Osprey Men-at-arms Series:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=books&n=507846

Other Osprey titles worth a look are David Nicolle's "Attila and the Nomad Hordes" (covers a bit on Xiongnu, Northern Wei, Rouran, Uyghurs, Karakhitan, etc.), Antony Karasulas' "Mounted Archers of the Steppe", Ian Heath's "The Taiping Rebellion", Philip Jowett's "Chinese Civil War Armies, 1911-1949", and Stephen Turnbull's titles on Siege Weapons of the Far East (2 parts), the Mongols, the Mongol Warrior, and Fighting Ships of the Far East (2 parts).

Chris Peers has written a kind of introductory history (non-academic) to Chinese military history entitled "Warlords of China": http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=glance&s=books

Not very satisfactory, and does not have colour illustrations, but worth a browse if you see it in the bookshop (yes, the Amazon.com review was written by me).

I just got Weapons in Ancient China and gotta say it's what I expected, very satisfying purchase

I also got 'A Glossary of the Construction, Decoration and Use of Arms and Armor in All Countries and in All Times' by George Cameron Stone

old book, republished. Originally published in 1920's I think. Though he has a good mindset and such, he is still limited to his times, so Chinese armor and weapons mentioned are not very long, and the information can be innacurate. There is ALOT of Japanese stuff tho'. There is also a strange prejudice against Chinese weapons, many times mentioned as dull, clumsy, and low quality.

Generally a nice book to have, but not to buy just for Chinese.

Does the book weapons of ancient China have any colour illustrations? Thanks in advance.

It has black-and-white line-art and color photos, no color illustrations though (The Osprey Books are good for that)

Weapons of Ancient China focuses mainly on warring states/Han/Tang, towards the Song the information is not as thorough, and in the Ming section all they really cover is gunpowder weapons.

So there's no Zhanmadao covered unfortunately, and armor types covered only go up to the Song/Ming type, no brigandine mentioned.

OK, I have the osprey books and I have Weapons in ancient China

Any Chinese language books to recommend me? Since I can't read Chinese, books with pictures or photographs would be good.

This book is recommended by Kenneth and myself: http://www.paragonbook.com/html/browsesubj...n.cfm?item=5980

In Chinese, but has lots of good pictures covering all aspects of ancient Chinese military equipment including warships and firearms.

Thanks! That book is on my wish list now...

BTW, what dynasties does the book cover?

Every dynasty in Chinese history, from prehistory to Qing.

Excellent! I'll order it as soon as possible.

I have a copy of the 2nd edition and printing Chinese text (1985). Does anyone know whether there is a more recent edition in Chinese?

The English text is much more expensive than the Chinese one (at $89.95 to $12.00). Could anyone speak to whether the English one has updated material (based on archaeological discoveries etc.) and/or higher quality illustrations/photos (the ones in the Chinese text are barely adequate due to the poor quality of the paper used) to justify the higher cost?

Meanwhile I would just want to add to the endorsement by saying that this is an excellent book with very detailed information and full citations to sources. Highly recommended.

I'm sorry but this book is not only recommended reading but obligatory reading;

"中国攻城兵器图史 Chinese Siege Warfare: Mechanical Artillery & Siege Weapons of Antiquity - an illustrated history", Liang Jieming, 1st Ed. (Limited Print), Da Pao Publishing, 2006
ISBN 981-05-5380-3 (pbk)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chinese-Siege-Warf...6584&sr=8-1

Hi Can anyone point me in the direction of any good research done on the origin of the Butterfly Knives (as seen in Wing Chun)?

Thanks!

fist time be here.

My name is 柴 金戈， my given name “金戈” （Jin ge） just means "golden Ge". Ge(戈) is one of the ancient Chinese weapons and always used by some famous poets in military poems.

here are some photos.

http://firewoodwolf.spaces.live.com/photos...841FC3!205/

GE

Welcome. It would be better if you could introduce yourself on the Introductions and Welcomes section.