Gatling Model 1861

Battlefield Support Weapon

United States | 1861

"Ironically, Dr. Gatling originally designed his Gatling Gun for the purpose of reducing the size of modern armies and, in turn, reducing the number of battlefield deaths."

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Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Gatling Model 1861. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

400
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

Physical
The physical qualities of the Gatling Model 1861. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

Hand-Cranked Rotating Action; Simultaneous Feed
Action

.45/70
Caliber(s)

40-round magazines fed simultaneously
Feed

Iron
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Gatling Model 1861 Battlefield Support Weapon family line.

Gatling Gun - Base Series Name

Model 1861

Model 1865 - Rimfire copper-based cartridges; adopted in 1866.

Model 1881

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 09/12/2016 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Richard Gatling patented his ferocious weapon in the early 1860s and the type was subsequently used in the American Civil War to deadly effect. The basic principle revolved around a steady feed of ammunition supplied to ten rotating barrels to help prevent the barrels from overheating. Rotation of the barrels were hand-cranked by the operator/aimer. A second soldier would insert a fresh forty-round magazine into the top of the weapon as needed. Magazines were fed from a large vertical "hopper".

Gatling guns came in a variety of calibers following the Civil War and these included the .45, .50 and even a 1-inch caliber. Despite its impressive 350-to-400 rounds per minute rate-of-fire, such an instrument was none-the-less prone to jamming.

Transportation was provided for by two large, multi-spoked wheels to either side of the weapon. The wheels were attached to an axle which also served as the base mounting for the gun itself. A tow system at the rear of the gun allowed connection to another two-wheeled axle system carrying ammunition supply boxes. The entire unit could then be carted by horse or pack mules as needed.

Despite its potential, the Gatling Gun saw little action along the Western Frontier in post-war America. Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders made use of no fewer than four Gatling Guns in their battle up San Juan Hill in Puerto Rico, resulting in an American/Cuban victory over the Kingdom of Spain. Gatling Guns also defended Fort Davis in Texas for a time, these being Model 1865 versions firing new rimfire copper-based cartridges.

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Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Gatling Model 1861. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Dr. Richard J. Gatling - USA