Gatling Model 1861

History of the 1861 Gatling Model

Richard Gatling patented his brutal weapon in the early 1860s, which was then used to lethal effect in the American Civil War. The rationale revolves around providing a steady supply of ammo to the ten rotating barrels to keep the barrels from overheating. The rotation of the barrel is manually turned by the operator / aiming device.

A second soldier will muzzle a new 40-round magazine if needed. Magazines are fed from a large vertical "hopper".

Gatling guns appeared in various calibers after the Civil War, including .45, .50, and even 1 inch calibers. Despite the impressive rate of fire of 350-400 rounds per minute, the instrument is still susceptible to interference.

Two large wheels with multiple spokes on either side of the gun provide transportation. The wheels were attached to an axle that also served as a base for the gun itself. A towing system at the rear of the gun allows connection to another two-wheel axle system with ammunition supply boxes.

The entire unit can then be transported by horse or mule as needed.

Despite its potential, the Gatling gun was of little use on the western frontier of postwar America. Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders used no fewer than four Gatling guns at the Battle of San Juan Hill in Puerto Rico, resulting in the American-Cuban victory over the Kingdom of Spain.

The Gatling gun also once defended Fort Davis, Texas, a version of the Model 1865 that fired the new copper-based edge-fire cartridge.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes