This is a fine example of a U.S. Government inspected Colt Model 1883 Gatling gun with carriage. It was shipped to the U.S. Army on May 20, 1887. Ahead of the Accles drum magazine the casing is marked/engraved "MANUFD BY/Colt's Pat F.A. Mfg. Co/HARTFORD CONN." accented by some light scrollwork. It is marked "1887" just behind the magazine over a round plaque marked "GATLING'S/BATTERY/GUN/PAT. NOV 4. 1862/MAY9. 1865FEB 28. 1871/APR 9. 1872/MADE BY COLT'S/PT. FIRE ARMS/MFG. CO./HARTFORD, CONN/USA." Below the plaque it is marked with David F. Clark's "D.F.C." inspection mark over "MODEL 1883/No-463/CAL. 45." At the rear are a pair of arrows aimed to the rear over one aimed towards the muzzle and "GA". The trunnions are marked "U.S." Two donut shaped brass Accles drum magazines are included. One has Clark's inspection mark, and the other is unmarked. These "donut" drums were the most advanced feed method used on Gatling guns but proved too sensitive for sustained field use. They held 104 rounds of ammunition but could be disabled if they were not kept immaculately clean or if they were dented by enemy fire or poor handling. The gun is fitted on an original U.S. inspected carriage marked "WATERVLIET ARSENAL 1886 US5" on the front. The wheels are marked "ARCHIBALD WHEEL CO. LAWRENCE MASS" near the axle. The carriage has storage boxes for magazines and other equipment. One opens from the top, and the other has a rear door that hinges upwards. It is just over 4 feet 2 inches long, and the wheels stand around 4 feet 7 inches tall and are 6 feet 3 inches apart. The height to the top of the magazine is 5 1/2 feet. The Gatling gun was first developed in 1861 by Dr. Richard Jordan Gatling who received a first patent covering "Improvements in Revolving Battery Guns." They were first used in combat by Union forces in the Civil War at the Battle of Petersburg. Gatling's stated goal was to reduce the number of deaths in war by decreasing the size of armies. Since a Gatling gun can fire more shots in a minute than an entire unit, large armies would become less necessary, and thus deaths from disease in the camps and field would decrease. The first Gatling guns were capable of a cyclic rate of 200 rounds per minute, but later models could reach cyclic rates as high as 1,500 rounds per minute. The speed on this model is variable and depended on which lever is cranked and how fast the operator rotates it. The Model 1883 has two sets of sights so that it can be fired with either 405 or 500 grain bullets without correction. They were incredibly useful against massed attacks and in suppressing the enemy while the main ground forces prepared to charge. Their very presence could lead to surrender or retreat. According to Wahl and Toppel in "The Gatling Gun," "Time and again, during its long history, the Gatling Gun proved itself a 'super riot gun'-a little of its characteristic 'music' or just the sight of its menacing multiple muzzles was usually enough to discourage a mob." They were used by armies around the world and were especially suited for use on naval vessels. They largely replaced the use of heavier "grapeshot" firing artillery pieces and could be fitted to a variety of carriages and mounts depending on their intended role. This example would have obviously been best suited for regular field use given its full size carriage. Lighter models like the smaller police version of the Model 1883 Gatling gun could even be fitted on a fairly light tripod. While, the true Gatling guns were declared obsolete before WWI after the introduction of more modern designs by Maxim and Browning, their impact is still seen today. The Vulcan and Minigun are two of the most obvious descendants. They paved the way for modern machine gun designs by demonstrating the utility of high rates of fire in warfare and forever altered battlefields around the world.

Very good as partially restored for preservation purposes. The iconic and handsome original enclosed bronze casing and the drums displays a beautiful aged patina. The muzzles and elevation bar have some slight pitting. The feed plate adapter is a professionally engineered replacement as is the retention/inspection nut on the back plate and trunion. There is an old weld repair on the crank handle and some re-soldered seams on the magazines. The patent plate also appears replaced. The original U.S. inspected carriage which is perhaps as rare as the gun is very fine plus considering its age and was painted some time ago with only minor flaking. The Gatling Gun is easily one of the most recognizable and impressive weapons used in American history but are missing from the vast majority of even some of the most advanced U.S. military collections. Do not miss your opportunity to acquire a rare and desirable piece of American history!