donderbus

A donderbus is a type of firearm characterized by its wide, flared muzzle. The name is derived from the Dutch word "donderbus," which translates to "thunder gun" or "thunder tube." This design was intended to scatter shot over a wider area, making it effective at close range, particularly against massed targets like boarding parties on ships.

The donderbus was most commonly employed from the 17th to the 19th centuries, often as a defensive weapon on ships or in fortifications. Its large bore meant it could fire a variety of projectiles, including multiple musket balls, gravel, or other improvised materials, to maximize the spread of impact. The flared muzzle, a defining feature, helped to disperse these projectiles, increasing the chance of hitting a target in a chaotic close-quarters engagement.

While effective in its intended role, the donderbus was inherently inaccurate at longer distances. Its large size and weight also made it cumbersome to handle. Despite these limitations, it remained a popular weapon for certain applications due to its devastating effect at short range. The donderbus represents an early example of a weapon designed for area denial or crowd control, predating modern shotguns in its concept.