A small, decorated bronze fragment unearthed in northeastern Germany may force historians to reconsider the timeline of firearms in medieval Europe. Archaeologists believe the artifact, dubbed the “Kletzke Handrohr,” is part of a handheld firearm dating to around 1390. [5, 8] If this assessment is correct, it would make it the oldest known handgun in Germany, potentially predating the famous Tannenberg handgonne of 1399. [8]
The discovery was made in 2023 by a volunteer heritage protector, Matthias Dasse, during a systematic field survey near the town of Kletzke in the Prignitz district. [5, 8] The artifact, measuring about six centimeters long, was initially identified by a local monument protection official as part of an early firearm. Its potential connection to a documented siege of Kletzke Castle in 1390 has generated significant excitement among researchers. [8]
Historical accounts from the period, notably from the Franciscan monk Detmar of Lübeck, describe a military campaign against the powerful von Quitzow family, who controlled the castle. [8] Subsequent archaeological excavations in 2024 and 2025 have uncovered battlefield artifacts that support these historical records, providing a compelling context for the hand cannon fragment. [5, 8] The find suggests that gunpowder weapons may have been in use in the Brandenburg region earlier than previously thought.
The Tannenberg handgonne, discovered in the cistern of a ruined castle in 1849, has long been considered the oldest securely dated handheld firearm in Europe. [8] The possibility that the Kletzke fragment is even older is a significant development. Local officials have described the discovery as one that could “rewrite the history of medieval weapon use in Brandenburg.” [5]
Further analysis and excavation are planned to confirm the artifact's age and origin. Researchers hope the site will not only yield more information about medieval warfare but also develop into a historical and tourist destination. The Kletzke Handrohr offers a tangible link to a pivotal moment in military history when gunpowder technology began to spread across the continent, changing the face of warfare forever.
The Kletzke Handrohr is a textbook example of how a single, small artifact can challenge long-held historical assumptions. While the Tannenberg handgonne has been the benchmark for early European firearms, this discovery suggests the adoption of gunpowder technology may have been more widespread and earlier than the record shows. For collectors and historians, this is a reminder that the story of firearms is still being written, often from fragments found in the earth. The key will be the supporting archaeological data. If the 1390 siege connection holds, it provides a firm historical anchor. If not, the debate will be fierce. What’s clear is that our understanding of the transition from blade to bullet is far from complete.