Rating and value of North European roller harquebuses

If you own a Dutch or German wheeled harquebus, and would like to know its value, and if you don't know, the period and model of your weapon, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on today's market. Afterwards, if you wish to sell your work, we will guide you towards the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.   

Rating and value of Northern European spinning wheel harquebuses

Northern European spinning wheel harquebuses are sought-after items by collectors. However, price differences can be considerable, depending on order, state of preservation, who owned it, and other criteria. Nowadays, prices for these objects can rise considerably under the auctioneer's hammer. Buyers from all over the world are interested in the sale of certain rare pieces. The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €125 to €20,000, at the moment, a considerable difference but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to these weapons. In 2022, a Dutch harquebus of the model " uni de l'inventaire n°4 " sold for €23,000.

Order of value ranging from a simple order to the most prestigious

A look back at the history of the spinning-wheel harquebus   

During the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci became interested in the spinning-wheel mechanism, which he theorized and schematized. The spinning wheel is a steel part in the form of a wheel, toothed or notched. It is used to rub the firing plate to trigger the shot. Once the hammer is engaged, the springs kick in, creating a spark to ignite the priming powder.

However, despite Leonardo's writings in the Codex Atlanticus, the first spinning-wheel mechanisms are thought to have originated in Northern Germany. The Netherlands, close to this area, quickly developed the same mechanism. The first spinning-wheel harquebuses appeared in these regions in the 15th century, and were to develop with the Italian wars in the following century, as firearms took on a greater role in combat. The spinning-wheel harquebus, however, appears impractical, as does the Italian spinning-wheel pistol. On the battlefield, flintlock weapons quickly gained the upper hand. Nevertheless, spinning-wheel harquebuses remain in use for hunting, which requires less precision than combat, and allows more patience.

This is why, in the 17th century, these weapons are also developed for decorative purposes, using materials such as ivory or mother-of-pearl.

Style and technique of the Northern European spinning-wheel harquebus  

The Northern European spinning-wheel harquebus is made, like many weapons, of brass, iron, wood and horn. Like the spinning-wheel pistol, the weapon is spring-loaded. The older the harquebus, the heavier it is. The first spinning-wheel harquebuses could only be carried by one man. They were later lightened to allow soldiers to shoot alone, carrying the weapon on their shoulder.

This weapon made it possible to kill from afar, and despite the technical difficulty that the spinning-wheel system can represent, soldiers were very quickly trained in this weapon. 

Reasons to sell a spinning-wheel harquebus at auction  

If you own a 17th-century spinning-wheel harquebus, and you don't know how to sell it, auctions are one solution. Indeed, collectors use this medium to find models that correspond to a particular battle or that belonged to their ancestors. Prices can reach unprecedented heights. Some spinning-wheel harquebuses can fetch thousands of euros at auction.   

These objects are not just weapons, but a historical witness to the scientific evolution of French weapon design.

Knowing the value of a spinning-wheel harquebus

If you happen to own a spinning-wheel harquebus, from any period, and would like to know its value, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using our form on our website. A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your piece, as well as any relevant information about it. If you wish to sell your property, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market inclinations.