Tactical beards in the middle ages?

Hand cannons, also known as handgonnes, were the first useful hand held firearms in European warfare. From a technological standpoint the hand cannon is considered as, one if not, the most simple form of a firearm. Oversimplified, it consists of a metal tube, plugged on one end and a touch hole on top, which is loaded with gunpowder and a projectile of any kind.

This particular piece (Image 1) was found at Søborggård in the north of the Danish island of Zealand but at least one similar item (Image 3) was found in Sweden. Today this almost unique weapon is on display at the Kongernes Jelling Museum (Image 2). Dated back to the late 14th century this example is one of the oldest known firearms in Denmark.

The top of the hexagonal barrel, made of bronze, shows a figurative depiction showing the Torso of a bearded men. In addition the sides of the barrel are decorated with inscriptions and plant ornaments. From a technical perspective the figure does not serve any reasonable purpose. But on the other hand the impression gives us a glimpse over hair fashion of the upper class within the timeframe of the late middle ages. Furthermore one might also derive and postulate, that the “tactical beard” was a already a thing back then and not only a recent fashion, amongst military staff.

On the underside of the barrel we find a massive hook, which also gave name to this kind of firearm - the Arquebus. Historically the term Arquebus, has derived from the Dutch word "Haakbus", which translates into "hook gun". The hook of these weapons was meant to give the barrel a firm rest and anchor point upon aiming and helps to diminish recoil upon firing (Image 4). These hooks were a small but effective improvement to the earlier forms of hand cannons, which were nearly impossible to aim properly (Image 5). As usual with archaeological finds from this period, the former wooden stick or handle did not survive the centuries buried in the ground. Unfortunately soil conservation of those wooden artefacts requires certain environmental conditions.

Throughout the centuries the term Arquebus was redeveloped several times and described many different forms of firearms used from the 15th to the 17th centuries. Later models of the Arquebus, fitted with shoulder stocks and matchlocks, became the real predecessors of the modern age firearms. During the 30-years war, Matchlock muskets became a widespread weapon of choice, dominating the battlefields and changing war for once for all.