Richard Jordan Gatling invented the gun during the American Civil War.  He was issued a patent in November of 1862.  The original gun had 6 barrels and an approximate rate of fire of 150 rounds per minute.  In 1865 the weapon was redesigned to discharge rim fire ammunition.  This gun achieved an approximate rate of fire of 350 rounds per minute. 

The gun saw very limited action during the Civil War.  Its only use was when General Benjamin Butler purchased several with his own money.  They were used successfully on the Petersburg front.  The U.S. government purchased 100 weapons after a successful demonstration at Fort Monroe in 1865.  The Civil War ended before they would see any service.

 The operation of the gun is quite simple, gravity fed magazine is inserted in loading port on top of gun. The chamber stop screw is now backed off and the loaded rounds are ready for firing. A turn of the handle brings the barrels around for loading and fire. Each turn of the barrels brings another round into the firing sequence. Fired chambers are then moved to the bottom of the breach to be ejected from the gun. In designing this unique chamber system, we have made a highly versatile GATLING. This fine gun can now be readily converted to other calibers as well, by changing chambers and barrels. (Black power to center fire requires firing pin replacement). With this innovative chamber system, chambers can be used countless times.

We have strived to blend history with durability in creating the “GATLING ARMS” replica gun. The original design was re-engineered to produce a firearm that would not only appeal to the eye, but would last several generations as an active shooter. Only the best bronze and steel castings have been used to produce each gun. Barrels are precision rifled to shoot as well as the GATLING looks. There is as well, a craftsmen touch as all guns are insured to be hand fitted for the highest quality. Our tripods and carriages are selected from high grade hardwoods and finished to a degree that any shooter, collector or individual that purchases simply for display, would appreciate.