GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
RARE COLT MODEL 1875 GATLING GUN ON CARRIAGE WITH LIMBER. COLT 1875 GATLING 145 50-70 Cal. 50 CF. Fine orig Gatling gun with 32" ten bbl cluster mounted in a brass housing with steel frame. Gun is in an orig cast iron yoke on an orig field carriage with olive drab painted iron bound wood frame and orig style concave wheels with 1/2" thick steel rims. Carriage is complete with seat, safety chains and tiller. Top of the gun housing is mounted with a 3-3/4" diameter cast brass plate marked "GATLING''S BATTERY GUN / MADE BY COLT''S / PT. FIRE ARMS / MFG CO / HARTFORD, CONN. / U.S.A." which is surrounding 4 patent dates. Gun is equiped with orig traversing unit and elevation screw with brass wheel. Gun has 1-1/4" trunions and 2" cascable. It appears that all the bolts are matching and numbered to their respective bbls. Accompanied by an orig Gatling gun limber with an orig iron bound box mounted to the axle that is 35" long X 24-3/4" wide and 19" deep that has metal covered lid and a heavy iron hasp on the front. Interior is compartmented with large compartment on each end that will hold 7 orig 4-magazine trays for a total of 64 loaded magazines. The center has a 5-1/2" wide compartment, for spare ammunition. The limber is complete with all fittings including the doubletree and articulated stand. The tiller wood handle is not present in the socket. The Model 1875 Gatling gun had improvements over the Model 1874 with fixed front sight, a deeper magazine well, beveled bolt face edges and other small items. The US Army bought 44 long Model 1875 Gatling guns, of which this is one, in the serial range 107-146 and also in a later range. Also accompanied by 16 orig tinned steel and brass stick magazines in orig trays holding 4 magazines each. Some are missing their followers. Additionally accompanied by 8 empty orig wood magazine trays. Also accompanied by six 20-rd boxes of Old Reliable brand new, unprimed caliber 50-70 brass cases. Gatling guns, wherever they were employed often turned the tide of battle, especially with the British in Africa. Who knows, had Custer not left his Gatling guns behind the results may have been different. CONDITION: Fine, appears to be all matching. Bbls are a cleaned gray metal patina with remarkably bright shiny bores. Brass housing is very fine and shows a medium mustard patina, as does all of the other brass. Carriage and limber have been completely restored with all of the wood painted olive drab and the metal parts black. Mechanics are fine. 49541-1 JR (200,000-300,000)