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GATLING, Richard (1818-1903).
American inventor.
Letter signed ("R.J. Gatling"), to Colt's Pat. Arms Mfg. Co., Hartford, Connecticut, June 7, 1884. 1 page, quarto, on stationery printed "Office of the Gatling Gun Company". Minor toning around the edges and tiny chip at the upper left corner, fine. The letter is enclosed with a facsimile portrait in a 1/4 brown morocco case with gilt lettered spine.
Dr. Gatling had become wealthy from his agricultural inventions by the 1850s. But we know his name like Colt and Browning because of what he gave to the gun. He patented the Gatling, multi-barrel rapid fire gun in 1862. Gatling used Sam Colt's company to machine the arms, as this letter attests. "We are in receipt of the following order from the U.S. Navy Deparment, which please execute and oblige: Two (2) navy model, cal. 0.45 short Gatling guns, ten (10) barrels, latest improved arc mount, with four (4) ... feeds each. The above to be delivered as soon as practicable to 'Ordnance Department,' Washington Navy Yard." There is a pencilled notation at the bottom of the letter which reads "Will put in works at once." The Gatling gun saw some limited service during the civil war, but although an effective weapon, was not adopted by the U.S. military until 1866.
Provenance: Ronald J. Atlas collection.
American inventor.
Letter signed ("R.J. Gatling"), to Colt's Pat. Arms Mfg. Co., Hartford, Connecticut, June 7, 1884. 1 page, quarto, on stationery printed "Office of the Gatling Gun Company". Minor toning around the edges and tiny chip at the upper left corner, fine. The letter is enclosed with a facsimile portrait in a 1/4 brown morocco case with gilt lettered spine.
Dr. Gatling had become wealthy from his agricultural inventions by the 1850s. But we know his name like Colt and Browning because of what he gave to the gun. He patented the Gatling, multi-barrel rapid fire gun in 1862. Gatling used Sam Colt's company to machine the arms, as this letter attests. "We are in receipt of the following order from the U.S. Navy Deparment, which please execute and oblige: Two (2) navy model, cal. 0.45 short Gatling guns, ten (10) barrels, latest improved arc mount, with four (4) ... feeds each. The above to be delivered as soon as practicable to 'Ordnance Department,' Washington Navy Yard." There is a pencilled notation at the bottom of the letter which reads "Will put in works at once." The Gatling gun saw some limited service during the civil war, but although an effective weapon, was not adopted by the U.S. military until 1866.
Provenance: Ronald J. Atlas collection.