image from wikipedia.com
Six Barrels
“It occurred to me that I could invent a machine-
gun that through its rapidity of fire could enable one
man to perform as much battle duty as a hundred,
thus saving American lives.”--Richard Jordan Gatling.
Back in 1861,
Richard Gatling invented
the first functional machine gun.
It had a cyclic
six-barreled design.
It was hand-cranked,
and as the barrels rotated
they cooled and reloaded
automatically.
It could fire
more than 400 .30 caliber rounds
per minute, and it never
overheated.
Later, some models
had ten barrels,
used .45-70 cartridges,
and could fire 700 rounds
per minute, using
two feeder clips,
one for firing,
and one for reloading.
The gun was used by the
Union Army during the Civil War.
General Custer had access
to two Gatling guns,
and decided not to use them.
The Gun was used
by the American Army
for 45 years.
One of the most famous
victories it facilitated
was the Battle of San Juan Hill,
during the Spaniksh-American War.
Lt. John Parker commanded
a 4-gun battery
of ten-barreled Gatlings,
that could rotate at
700 rpm, and could fire
more than 800 rounds per minute.
Parker used the guns
as cover fire as the
Rough Riders charged
up the hill. After
the hill was taken,
three guns were hauled
to the top, just in time
before a Spanish attack
to retake the hill.
600 Spanish soldiers
started up, and only 40
survived’
The Gatlings fired
18,000 rounds
in 8 minutes.
Today
modern troops use an
electric-motor driven
rotary cannon.
It takes a strong man
to use one.
Glenn Buttkus
Posted over at d'Verse Poet's Pub
10 comments:
A Gatling gun! You're such a guy! The only time I have seen one of these was on an episode of The Wild Wild West, which probably says all that needs be said about the level of my tv viewing. :-P
Very interesting Glen.
Thanks for dropping by to read mine
Much💜love
A fascinating trip into history with all barrels blazing, Glenn. I'm with Shay, I can remember it clearly from The Wild Wild West, make of that what you will. :>)
Pax,
Dora
You know things are going to get real when they pull out the Gatling gun. Amazing piece of machinery. Custer: what an idiot!
So interesting! I'd never thought to look into the history of the gatling gun before!
Thanks, Glenn.
-David
Humans keep inventing new and more efficient ways to kill. I've read some of the history of technology on guns, but I knew nothing about Gatling guns. Thanks for sharing, Glenn.
I can't reconcile myself to the idea of a gun saving lives! Just an old hippy I am. Certainly an impressive and powerful invention. I wouldn't want to be in the line of fire!
Thanks for the education.
"General Custer had access to two Gatling guns, and decided not to use them" makes me wonder how he ever became a General.
Both fascinating and scary... but I do remember firing a real machine gun (one-barreled) and after 100 rounds you had to shift barrel manually...
Kick ass Glenn! Man, on January 6th, I wish I’d been in DC with… no, won’t go there my friend, can’t let myself — but I do understand the inspiration. Fascinating write brother!
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