LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 Apr Books, Manuscripts & Autographs #658  / 

25249

R. J. Gatling Autograph Letter Signed

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:200.00 USD Estimated At:800.00 - 1,200.00 USD
R. J. Gatling Autograph Letter Signed
<B> R. J. Gatling Autograph Letter Signed,</B></I> on "Office of Gatling Gun Company" letterhead (which includes an engraving of a Gatling Gun!), 1p., 8.5" x 11", Hartford, Connecticut, February 4, 1879. Written to <I>"My Dear Mr. Welles"</B></I> (in part): <I>"My Dear Mr. Welles I see from the Scientific American that the Sub-Treasury, N.Y. is to be fortified with a Gatling Gun, &c. I desire that you see Secretary </B></I> of the Treasury John <I>Sherman about supplying Gatling guns not only in the Sub-Treasury N.Y., but also one or more should be kept in the Treasury Building in Washington. The improved Gatling gun would furnish the best possible means of protecting the immense amount of treasure kept on hand belonging to the govt and especially would this be the case when the multiball cartridges are used. Possible Secty Sherman will purchase 3 or 4 guns for above purpose. None but the best improved Gatlings should be used...Yours truly R J Gatling."</B></I> <BR><BR> With the outbreak of the Civil War, Gatling built and patented a crank-driven rapid-fire gun consisting of 10 barrels clustered around a revolving shaft, with an automatic feed and ejection mechanism. The rapid-firing Gatling gun, which could fire 350 rounds per minute (later 1,200 rounds per minute), was tested with great success by the War Department and was officially adopted in 1866 for the U.S. Army. Here, Gatling suggests his new and improved rapid-firing gun to guard one of the most important buildings in the nation's capital. Minor separation repaired with tape at the horizontal fold; otherwise, near fine condition.<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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