Abstract: The impact hammer comprises a working piston (22) exerting impacts onto an impact surface (23). The hydraulically driven working piston (22) is reciprocatingly controlled by a control means (40,41). At the rearward end of the working cylinder (21), there is a rear chamber (50) into which the projection of the piston (51) immerses. Connected to the rear chamber (50) is a pressure gas reservoir (52) which is charged with each return stroke of the working piston and discharges with the subsequent working stroke.