Old Shatterhand

Old Shatterhand is a fictional character, the white friend and blood-brother of Winnetou the fictional chief of the Mescalero-tribe of the Apache in the western novels by German writer Karl May (1842-1912). These tales may have been an influence on the creation of the Lone Ranger media franchise.

Related Topics:
Winnetou - Mescalero - Apache - Karl May - The Lone Ranger

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The character stands for Karl May himself as narrator of the stories. Winnetou often calls Old Shatterhand "My brother Scharli" (Scharli = Charlie = Karl).

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At the time of writing Karl May considered the prefix "Old" to names of several of his characters as being typically American and standing for the great experience of the hero.

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Old Shatterhand got the name by his friend Sam Hawkens, who also originates from Germany (but already is an oldtimer in the American west), as he was able to knock out his adversary with a single stroke.

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Old Shatterhand owns two famous rifles, the "Bärentöter" (Bear Killer) and the "Henry Stutzen" (Henry-Rifle), both made by a fictional gunsmith called Henry in St. Louis. The Henry-Rifle was able to shoot 25 shots without reloading, perhaps a hyperbolic reference to the 1873 model Winchester rifle.

Related Topics:
St. Louis - Winchester rifle

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Old Shatterhand rode a horse called Hatatitla (= Lightning), which he got from Winnetou, who rode the brother-horse called Iltschi (= Wind).

Related Topics:
Hatatitla - Iltschi

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