Gatling gun

created by Webster 1913

(thing) by Voodoo Chile (4.3 wk) (print) ? (I like it!) Wed Feb 26 2003 at 18:14:35

Patented by Dr. Richard Jordan Gatling (1818-1903-studied medicine and dentistry) , the Gatling Gun has made its mark in history as one of the earliest rapid-fire weapons to enter into wide-spread use. Consisting of multiple barrels (usually around 10) seated in a pivot to allow for rotation, the Gatling Gun was magazine fed, and fired by manually cranking a handle, rotating the barrels, which were fed with bullets and was capable dis-charged at as much as 1,000 rounds per minute, though this was rarely acheived in practice. The ammunition used by the Gatling Gun tended to range from between .45 in (1 cm) and 1 in (2.5 cm) caliber, and it was not uncommon for buckshot to be used in place of regular ammunition. The barrels could be elevated and depressed using the elevating gear, and could be swung left or right by a hand-spike. The Gatling Gun had a simple fore-sight, allowing for quick yet relatively effective targeting. The early Gatling Gun was incredibly heavy and was often mounted on a carriage often leading officers to regard it as an artillery. It was not until the lighter tripod-mounted Gatling came into use in the 1880's that their full potential was eventually unleashed.

The Gatling Gun has seen service in various conflicts, including the US Civil War (1861-65), and by 1870 it was used world-wide. The French adopted a variation known as the Mitraileuse, which had stationary barrels and a loading plate.

During the early 20th century, experiments were carried out with a Gatling Gun with an electric motor, giving rise to the Vulcan Cannon and later weapons such as the mini-gun.

(definition) by Webster 1913 (print) Tue Dec 21 1999 at 23:51:06

Gat"ling gun` (). [From the inventor, R.J. Gatling.]

An American machine gun, consisting of a cluster of barrels which, being revolved by a crank, are automatically loaded and fired.

⇒ The improved Gatling gun can be fired at the rate of 1,200 shots per minute.

Farrow.

printable version
chaos

Minigun	The Floodping Gatling Gun	M134 - 7.62mm minigun	Tommy gun
Richard Jordan Gatling	Phalanx CIWS	flamethrower	A-6 Intruder
Wasabi and Miniguns - a night in Madison	Maxim gun	Philippine-American War	Balangiga Massacre
Buckshot	Instead of the single bullet theory	Vulcan Raven	gatling
Airsoft Miniguns	Dragon Eye	Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia	Scottish smuggling
Winchester	Heavy Nerf Cannon	Ludlow Massacre	The Last Samurai

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