Gatling gun from SHOT show -- in .45-70!

[alnitak]

Report from the SHOT show:

"While not new or even in production, one of the coolest items that was made available for shooting is a bull pup Gatling gun from the 1800s.

Colt brought this beautiful firearm to the event along with 5000 rounds of 45-70 ammunition to be run through it."

gat 1.jpg

gat 2.jpg

I didn't realize that the .45-70 was used in Gatling guns. Of course, a little time spent on Google found this and educated me more:

"The first Gatling Guns were chambered for the .58 caliber Springfield Rifle-Musket's PAPER cartridges. The paper cartridges were inserted into primed steel cases, I believe the cases were reusable. These cartridges were very delicate and the guns were somewhat unreliable. That is why they were not officially adopted by the US Army during the War Between the states.

The second model Gatling Gun was chambered for a rimfire cartridge, I believe it was the .58 US Musket Rimfire, and was finally adopted in 1866. The guns were still somewhat less than perfectly reliable.

Sometime shortly after the adoption of the .45-70-405 Government Cartridge (centerfire) was adopted in 1873, the Gatling Gun was also chambered for the .45-70 round. Most of the reliability bugs were also worked out by this time.

All subsequent Gatling Guns purchased by the US Military Establishment were chambered for .45-70, with a number of different loadings available. I've shot a .45-70 Gov't Gatling Gun cartridge loaded with a 750 grain full-metal jacket and it kicked like a mule.

The Gatling Gun was also adopted by the British Royal Army and Royal Navy in the 1870's and continued in use throught the 1890's.

British Gatling Guns were chambered in either .577/.450 Martini-Henry, or .303 Enfield calibers. They were widely used during the Colonial Wars in Africa, India, and Malaysia. Quite often Gatling Guns and Gun Crews were detached from Royal Navy ships and sent into the field with the Army.

In addition to the American and British adoption, I'm uncertain what other countries adopted the Gatling Gun. I have seen photos of or read about Gatlings Chambered in 7x57mm Mauser, and I believe I've read mention of Gatlings chambered for 10.75x58R Russian Berdan and either 11.15x58R (.43) Spanish Remington, or 11.15x60R Mauser. And of course ther are modern made Gatling Gun reproductions that are chambered for the .22 LR rimfire."

So, it sounds like this particular Gatling was manufactured in 1873 or later.

[gamekeeper]

Interesting, I didn't know British Gatling guns were made in .303 or the first ones used paper cartridges.

That's what I love about this forum, I learn something every time I log on.

[Ray Newman]

Per Buffalo Arms, Colt will make a limited run for US $49,999.00:
http://www.buffaloarms.com/Colt_1877_Ga ... x?CAT=4609

All it takes is US $5,000.00 deposit….

From what I have read, the US Navy utilized 1" Gatlings to clears mines. USN also unsuccessfully fired the Gatling with an electric motor. I also have seen pictures of US Army Gatlings and accompanying ammunitions crates in in 30-40 caliber.

The Gatling still lives: think of the GE Mini-gun, the 20mm Vulcan and their clones.

[plstktnkr2]

nevermind

[rimrock]

RayNeuman said, in part: "The Gatling still lives: think of the GE Mini-gun, the 20mm Vulcan and their clones."

Don't forget about Dillon Precission's electric gatlins mounted on many air frames of the U.S. military.

rimrock

[Griff]

I wonder if those were the same guns used in "Top Shot"? Bullpup Gatlings are not nearly as common as their big brother.

[awp101]

Colt brought this beautiful firearm to the event along with 5000 rounds of 45-70 ammunition to be run through it."

Well, that would cover my shooting for the day. How much are they bringing for everyone else?

[Grizz]

Does anyone have drawings of the bullpup? It looks marvelous.