Rating and value of North European roller harquebuses

If you own a Dutch or German spinning-wheel 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. Then, if you wish to sell your work, we'll guide you towards the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.   

Rating and value of northern roller harquebuses

Northern European harquebuses are highly sought-after 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 "uni de l'inventaire n°4" model sold for €23,000.

Value order ranging from simple to prestigious

A look back at the history of the roller harquebus   

During the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci became interested in the spinning-wheel mechanism, theorizing and schematizing it. 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 are activated, 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 expand with the Italian wars in the following century, as firearms took on a greater role in combat. However, the spinning-wheel harquebus, like the Italian spinning-wheel pistol, proved impractical. On the battlefield, flintlock weapons quickly gained the upper hand. Wheel harquebuses were still used for hunting, which required less precision than combat, and more patience.

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

Style and technique of the Northern European wheeled harquebus  

Like many weapons, the Northern European harquebus is made 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 enable soldiers to fire them alone, carrying the weapon on their shoulder.

This weapon made it possible to kill from afar, and despite the technical difficulty of the spinning-wheel system, soldiers were quickly trained to use it. 

Reasons to sell a spinning top harquebus at auction  

If you own a 17th-century spinning-wheel harquebus and don't know how to sell it, auctions are the answer. 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 only weapons, but also historical evidence of the scientific evolution of French weapons design.

Knowing the value of a roller harquebus

If you own a harquebus from any period and would like to know its value, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using the 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, our specialists will also be on hand to help you find alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market trends.