Details
GATLING, RICHARD JORDAN. Autograph letter boldly signed ("R.J. Gatling," with flourish) TO THE COLT FIRE ARMS COMPANY, Hartford, 7 June 1884. 1 full page, 4to, on lined Gatling Gun Company stationery, pencil endorsement (by a Colt secretary?): "Will put in works at once," edges slightly browned, otherwise in good condition.
GATLING TO COLT, ON HIS TEN-BARREL MACHINE GUN
A fine letter concerning an ordnance commission from the United States Navy: "We are in receipt of the following order from the U.S. Navy Department, which please execute and oblige: Two (2) Navy Model, cal[iber] 0.45 short Gatling guns, ten (10) barrels, latest improved arc mount, with four (4) Accles' feeds each. The above to be delivered as soon as practicable to 'Ordinance Department,' Washington Navy Yard..."
Richard J. Gatling (1818-1903) invented his rapid-fire machine gun, the first of its kind, by contriving a cluster of ten barrels, each of which rotated by crank and was loaded and fired once during a complete rotation. Without equal in its era, the Gatling gun could fire 3,000 rounds per minute if externally powered. Letters referring directly to his invention are rare.
GATLING TO COLT, ON HIS TEN-BARREL MACHINE GUN
A fine letter concerning an ordnance commission from the United States Navy: "We are in receipt of the following order from the U.S. Navy Department, which please execute and oblige: Two (2) Navy Model, cal[iber] 0.45 short Gatling guns, ten (10) barrels, latest improved arc mount, with four (4) Accles' feeds each. The above to be delivered as soon as practicable to 'Ordinance Department,' Washington Navy Yard..."
Richard J. Gatling (1818-1903) invented his rapid-fire machine gun, the first of its kind, by contriving a cluster of ten barrels, each of which rotated by crank and was loaded and fired once during a complete rotation. Without equal in its era, the Gatling gun could fire 3,000 rounds per minute if externally powered. Letters referring directly to his invention are rare.