Abstract: A hammer drill is provided including at least one cylinder, in which at least one piston is mounted such that it can be moved axially between an upper and a lower end position, wherein the cylinder has at least one lower fluid supply, which can be cyclically supplied with a drive fluid, wherein the cylinder is closed with an upper cover and a lower cover, wherein, in the lower end position, the piston is in contact with an inner side of the lower cover and a ring gap is formed between the entire casing surface of the piston and the inner wall of the cylinder. A method for deep drilling using a hammer drill of this type is also provided.