German Hook and Wall Gun
Hackenbuchse
Circa 1580-1620
It is known and accepted that guns of this period are generally put together using various parts from several guns, however this outstanding example retains all original parts. - SOLD

This extremely rare and outstanding wall gun has what appears to be early 17th century Suhl inspection marks (1 B and hen) on barrel and lock plate, round to octagonal bright steel barrel, iron furniture, wormed wood stock with an approximately 11.5-inch restoration near the muzzle and approximately 2.5-inch by 3-inch restoration at the upper corner of the butt. The gun itself measures 71.5-inches in overall length, with a 55.5-inch barrel length.

The saw tooth hook near the muzzle was intended to be place on the edge of a wall to check the powerful recoil. The hook gave the weapon its name "hackenbuchse," which roughly translates as "hook gun." The Germans appear to have held onto these types of weapons well after most other countries. The hook gun is different from the "wall gun" in that the latter was designed to be fitted to a carriage. Hook guns were defensive weapons for use against enemy artillery positions or entrenched troops. They were of limited effectiveness and never in common use. By the end of the 17th century they had all but disappeared.

An example of the use of a Hook and Wall Gun. A stone wall, ranging from ten to twelve feet high, was built around mammoth estates and homes. There was only one high gate to the estates and always gatekeepers to admit expected carriages. In event of intruders trying to break through the ten to twelve foot high, heavy wooden gate, this gun would be mounted atop the wall to be fired at the intruders.

980-63/RS-COMM