Winchester Repeating Arms Company. Herb Houze

       The author with Models 1874 and 1877 (“Bulldog”) Gatling guns on cover of his 1959 catalog.

       Colt Gatling Gun

      Colt Gatling Gun. The first practical machinegun. Invented by Dr. Richard J. Gatling, Indianapolis, Indiana 1861; patented as an “Improvement in Revolving Battery Guns” Nov., 1862. Among most fascinating and largest of antique Colt firearms actively collected.

      Resembling a massive pepperbox, the gun lent its name to a common noun once popular (now out of vogue) to describe a repeating handgun … the “gat.” They saw service in numerous historic engagements throughout the world from the 1860’s to slightly after the turn of the century. The outcome of the skirmish at Little Big Horn is debated to this day; had Custer not chosen to leave his three Gatling batteries at Fort Lincoln when he set out to campaign, could the tide of the battle have turned?

      Gatling’s invention covered a hand cranked repeating firearm with multi-barrels arranged around a central shaft and individual strikers (later, bolts with firing pins) for each charge (or chamber). The 1862 patent and his development models were hopper-fed, 6 barrel, percussion .58 caliber, using reloadable, individual, auxiliary steel chambers; each fitted with a nipple for the percussion cap. A second model of 1862 was chambered for 58 caliber rimfire metallic cartridges, eliminating the auxiliary chambers. Although given Army trials, the gun was not adopted. Gatling did succeed in interesting Union General Benjamin Butler who purchased 12 guns with personal funds late 1863. Made by the Cincinnati Type Foundry Works, the guns saw service at the siege of Petersburg, June, 1864. The U.S. Navy reported favorably on the gun and also purchased a few during the war; there are no known photographs or records of their use.

      Gatling had eight of his guns in 1" caliber made in 1865 by the Cooper Firearms Company of Philadelphia (q.v.). Given extensive trials the gun was officially adopted in 1866 and the fledgling Gatling Gun Company given its first important U.S. order for 100 guns (50 in caliber .50CF; 50 in caliber 1"); most were ten barrel types, a few six barrel. The arrangement for Colt to make the guns was the beginning of the long association with the Gatling Gun Company. Although retaining its name it was ultimately absorbed by Colt.

      Gatlings were made in many varieties, from the early Models 1865-66, the Model 1874 (in 45-70 caliber and considered among collectors as “classic”), M. 1879, M1881 and others in the 80’s; M1893 in 30-40 Krag caliber; M. 1895 chambered for 6mm USN; M1903 cal 30-03 and later altered for cal .30-06; declared “obsolete” by U.S. Ordnance in 1911. They were available in numerous configurations and various mountings from large two-wheel field carriages, tripods, naval deck cones and police wagons to unique camel saddles for desert warfare. Among the most revealing documents is a factory price list c. 1880’s describing the host of calibers, numbers of barrels and varying lengths and cartridge feed devices, etc. Calibers shown were from .42, .43, .45, .50, .55, .65, .75 to 1". Collectors are partial to the U.S. issue 45-70 types of the Indian Wars, however all are rare and highly desireable. Most Gatlings have open/exposed barrels, a lesser group is entirely encased in brass. Among those the Model 1877 “Bulldog” with five 18" barrels, weighing 90 pounds, usually on tripod mount, highly desirable, especially for its size. The very rare, diminutive “Police Model 1893” is a great prize with its six short 12" barrels cal 45-70 weighing about 74 pounds.

      Colt and Gatling markings on earlier models are usually on a large, heavy, round cast brass plate affixed to the rear brass housing GATLING’S/BATTERY/GUN (patent dates)/MADE BY COLT’S/PT. FIRE ARMS MFG. CO./HARTFORD, CONN. U.S.A.with various dates. (Collectors take note: that plate was quite accurately reproduced a few years ago as a novelty item, some of which have found their devious way into the collectors’ market.) On later models markings were elaborately hand engraved on that same area. Model dates, caliber and serial number are most often seen.

      Best references are The Gatling Gun (Wahl & Toppel), The Book of Colt Firearms (Wilson/Sutherland) and The Machine Gun (Col. Chinn, Vol I).

      Gatling Values: The subject obviously demands further study by an owner wishing to sell a Gatling or the collector seeking to acquire one. The myriad of variables allow for but the broadest of generalizations. As with any collectible firearm, condition and completeness are important. It has been the author’s observation that any Gatling in near complete condition, lacking a mount of any type, rusted and pitted (but NOT a dug relic!) and in restorable working order is valued in the $20,000 range. Average going prices for various models in complete mechanical order (some minor replaced parts, showing wear, lightly pitted, etc.) with their original yoke and on an authentic, desirable type mount have been $40,000 to $70,000. From that point it’s another ball game where aesthetics, condition and rarity play significant roles and prices hovering between the high five figures and low 6 figures are not unknown.

       5B-281