The Gatling Gun

A unique chapter in the history of firearms, the multibarrel, hand-cranked Gatling gun was one of the first practical rapid-fire weapons ever to be used in battle. It changed warfare by introducing the capability to project deadly, high-intensity fire on the battlefield, and portended the devastation that automatic weapons would wreak in World War I. During its 50-year career, it saw widespread service with US, British, and other forces on a host of battlefields through conflicts in Zululand and the American West, to the Spanish-American War. Although it saw widespread use in the hands of industrialized nations against various groups of indigenous native warriors, it was famously left behind by Custer at the battle of the Little Bighorn, where some argue it could have made all the difference. Featuring full-colour artwork plus contemporary and close-up photographs, this engaging study investigates the origins, development, combat use, and lasting influence of the formidable Gatling gun.

Here is the first complete 130-year history of what is a truly remarkable and timeless weapon. Author Joseph Berk traces the glorious career of this multi-barreled, high-rate-of-fire gun from its inception during the Civil War to its current role as a state-of-the-art modern combat system of the US military.

History of its development and use in warfare.

This book contains copies of all Dr. Gatling's original Gatling Gun patent and patent drawings from the United States Patent Office. Also included are the patent drawings of the Broadwell Drum Feed, Bruce feed and Accles feed that was used on Colt Gatling Guns. Shortly after the outbreak of the American Civil War, Dr. Richard J. Gatling began work on his most famous invention. A prototype gun was made late in 1861 and was demonstrated in Indianapolis early in 1862. On November 4, 1862, Dr. Gatling received the first of his 10 patents for the famous gun that etched his name into history forever. The Gatling Gun was sometimes called by Dr. Gatling, Colt Firearms Company and the United States Patent Office as a battery gun, rotating battery gun, rotating cannon and machine gun. When the "modern" machine gun was made, it was referred to as an automated machine gun. These patent drawings provide a step back in time to view a technically advanced 19th century weapon that changed history.

A provocative look at the life and times of the man who created the original weapon of mass destruction Drawing on her investigative and literary talents, Julia Keller offers a riveting account of the invention of the world's first working machine gun. Through her portrait of its misunderstood creator, Richard Jordan Gatling-who naively hoped that the overwhelming effectiveness of a multiple-firing weapon would save lives by decreasing the size of armies and reducing the number of soldiers needed to fight-Keller draws profound parallels to the scientists who would unleash America's atomic arsenal half a century later. The Gatling gun, in its combination of ingenuity, idealism, and destructive power, perfectly exemplifies the paradox of America's rise in the nineteenth century to a world superpower.

This is a history that looks at the innovating gatling gun, which was a predecessor of modern machine guns. Gatling guns had a huge effect on warfare at the turn of the 20th century. From the preface: "On the morning of July 1st, the dismounted cavalry, including my regiment, stormed Kettle Hill, driving the Spaniards from their trenches. After taking the crest, I made the men under me turn and begin volley-firing at the San Juan Blockhouse and intrenchments against which Hawkins' and Kent's Infantry were advancing. While thus firing, there suddenly smote on our ears a peculiar drumming sound. One or two of the men cried out, "The Spanish machine guns!" but, after listening a moment, I leaped to my feet and called, "It's the Gatlings, men! It's our Gatlings!" Immediately the troopers began to cheer lustily, for the sound was most inspiring. Whenever the drumming stopped, it was only to open again a little nearer the front. Our artillery, using black powder, had not been able to stand within range of the Spanish rifles, but it was perfectly evident that the Gatlings were troubled by no such consideration, for they were advancing all the while. Soon the infantry took San Juan Hill, and, after one false start, we in turn rushed the next line of block-houses and intrenchments, and then swung to the left and took the chain of hills immediately fronting Santiago. Here I found myself on the extreme front, in command of the fragments of all six regiments of the cavalry division. I received orders to halt where I was, but to hold the hill at all hazards. The Spaniards were heavily reinforced and they opened a tremendous fire upon us from their batteries and trenches. We laid down just behind the gentle crest of the hill, firing as we got the chance, but, for the most part, taking the fire without responding. As the afternoon wore on, however, the Spaniards became bolder, and made an attack upon the position. They did not push it home, but they did advance, their firing being redoubled. We at once ran forward to the crest and opened on them, and, as we did so, the unmistakable drumming of the Gatlings opened abreast of us, to our right, and the men cheered again. As soon as the attack was definitely repulsed, I strolled over to find out about the Gatlings, and there I found Lieut. Parker with two of his guns right on our left, abreast of our men, who at that time were closer to the Spaniards than any others."

The Gatling Gun outlines the development of the Gatling gun from its inception during the Civil War to applications on a variety of modern combat systems. The Gatling gun concept has proven itself to be, in a very real sense, timeless. Future weapons systems will no doubt continue to apply the engineering elegance inherent to Dr. Gatling's design, assuring the survival of this most interesting weapon system.

"Gatling guns, component parts, nomenclature, mounts, ammunition and accessories, makers, users and serial numbers."