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GATLING, RICHARD J.

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
GATLING, RICHARD J.
(1818 - 1903) American businessman and inventor of the precursor of the machine gun, the Gatling gun. His invention was used with great effect during the Civil War, and in some forms is still in use today. Fine content and association manuscript L.S. "R. J. Gatling" on Gatling Gun Company letterhead, 1p. 4to., Hartford, May 16, 1883, to Gatling's manufacturing partner, the Colt Fire Arms Co, also in Hartford. In part: "…Please ship the four guns referred to in your letter…to General Daniel D. Wylie, Chief of Ordnance S.N.Y. by Hartford Boat…". In 1883 Gatling introduced his latest gun: the Model 1883 was a ten-barrel .45 cal. gun fully encased in a bronze jacket. A side mounting hand crank produced a rate of fire of up to 800 spm, but could be rear mounted to increase the rate up to 1,500 spm, making this a most formidable weapon. Two light toned spots, one affecting the top of the "R" in signature, folds, otherwise very good. Matted with a photo and brass plaque and set in a wood frame.