Hammerschlagen

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Hammerschlagen is a German game reportedly dating from 1940, in which several contestants try to hammer a nail into a post. It has been played in the U.S.

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Hammer-Schlagen ("Striking Hammer") is a game derived from its predecessor Nailspielen ("Nail Game" or "Playing With Nails"). Both versions are essentially the same. A large cross section of a tree is used and nails are placed around its circumference. Each player gets his or her own nail. A striking tool is passed from one player to the next. Players swing at their nail until the nail is countersunk into the wood.

Nailspielen is a northern German game played to pass time. Traditionally, the sharp end of an axe was held against the vertical edge of the slab, and swung at stag nails. The game was played to completion with the last person not sinking their nail as the loser. In German taverns, this game sat in a corner whose loser would be bound to buy the next round.

As the game died off in Germany, it spread throughout the world. In Thailand, prostitutes play the game one-on-one for a small fee. Losing the game to the prostitute binds you to purchase her a drink; but if you win, you get to take her home. Needless to say, this is one heck of a scam.

Nailspielen made its way to the United States in the mid-twentieth century. After its arrival, the Nail Game was played a significant amount at the Gasthaus Bavarian Hunter in Stillwater, Minnesota, and was shortly thereafter incorporated. The version of Nailspielen found at the Gasthaus is by far the most popular version found around the United States and known as Hammer-Schlagen.

Hammer-Schlagen is played with a hammer instead of an axe. Most commonly, the wedge side of a machinist’s hammer is placed alongside of a sixteen penny nail and struck into cottonwood. The first person to sink their nail wins. Prizes are also given away, such as traditional drinking gloves, can coolers, blinking shot glasses, bandannas, knives, and other great assortments complete with the corporation’s trade name and marks.

Hammer-Schlagen is a well-recognized business and trade. For approximately one decade, feuds for ownership over the intellectual property of the game have been made apparent. The trade and its marks are currently owned by WRB, Inc. of Minnesota. The corporation has been seen nationally at festivals, rallies, benefits, and fund raisers. It is from this wide variety of exposure that Hammer-Schlagen (.com) has become so popular, and for good reason.