"The Kletzke Hand Cannon, a small bronze fragment discovered in 2023 during a field survey in northern Germany, represents potentially the earliest portable firearm technology found in Europe. Measuring approximately six centimetres and decorated with ornamental details, the artifact appears to be the front portion of a medieval hand cannon. Archaeologists estimate it dates to around 1390."
"What makes the discovery particularly notable is its possible date. The 'Tannenberg handgonne', held today at the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg and dated to 1399, is widely regarded as the oldest securely dated hand-held firearm in Europe. The Kletzke fragment, however, may be slightly earlier."
"Researchers believe the artifact may be connected to a specific historical event: the siege of Kletzke Castle in 1390. Written evidence for this conflict comes from the Franciscan monk Detmar of Lübeck, whose chronicle describes a campaign against the powerful von Quitzow family."
The Kletzke Hand Cannon, a small bronze fragment discovered in 2023 during a field survey in northern Germany, represents potentially the earliest portable firearm technology found in Europe. Measuring approximately six centimetres and decorated with ornamental details, the artifact appears to be the front portion of a medieval hand cannon. Archaeologists estimate it dates to around 1390, which would make it older than the Tannenberg handgonne (dated 1399), currently recognized as Europe's oldest securely dated hand-held firearm. The discovery was made by volunteer conservator Matthias Dasse and later identified by Gordon Thalmann. Researchers believe the artifact may be connected to the 1390 siege of Kletzke Castle, documented in historical chronicles describing military campaigns against the von Quitzow family.
#medieval-firearms #archaeological-discovery #early-hand-cannons #german-history #black-powder-weapons
Read at Medievalists.net
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