Lucerne Hammer

Artist Hans Horwer (Swiss)

Dateabout 1600–1625

MediumSteel and wood

Dimensions206 × 38 cm (81 1/8 × 14 15/16 in.), 5 lb, 12 oz (weight)

ClassificationsArms and Armor

MarkingsThe maker's mark is found at base of thrusting spike on both faces. The mark is shown on p. 144 of Hugo Schneider's "Schweizer Waffenschmiede," as that of Hans Horwer (1605-20) of Lucerne, listed as a gunmaker in the city.

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.227

DescriptionSteel. Tall quadrangular thrusting spike becoming rectangular at base which extends down in pair of long langets on the front and rear, with a separate pair of langets at sides. Over the spike is fitted hammerhead assembly. This has a four-pronged stout hammerhead emerging from a rectangular body & opposed by pointed quadrangular peen. Head assembly is secured together by restored transverse screw spikes of quadrangular section with pointed terminals. Head is fastened to a later wooden staff made from implement handle or perhaps an oar. This is of tapered rectangular section on upper half, becoming oval below & finishing in cone-like handle.

Head 38 cm; width of head front to back c. 22 cm; lateral depth with side-spikes c 11 cm.
Label TextThis is one of a class of weapons originally developed for combat against armored opponents. The stout thrusting tip was good for penetrating the gaps between steel plates; the pronged hammerhead was designed for biting into the glancing surfaces of armor; and the rear beak was for piercing plate steel. But by the time this weapon was made, armor was losing its importance, and all of these features have become elongated and exaggerated, making them impressive to look at but less effective for actual armored combat.ProvenanceBashford Dean (by 1911); Mackay collection (#I-17) purchased by Museum from Gimbel Brothers (NYC) on May 1, 1942. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014

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