A hydraulic hammer assembly is provided. The hydraulic hammer assembly includes a housing and a piston is arranged for reciprocating movement along a longitudinal axis within the housing. A head disposed along the longitudinal axis on an end of the housing and defines a chamber for holding a pressurized gas. The hydraulic hammer assembly further includes a locking mechanism to lock the head on the housing. The locking mechanism includes at least one first flange extending radially from the end of the housing and at least one second flange extending radially from the head, wherein the head is retained on the housing by blocking axial movement of the second flange against the first flange when in a locked position.