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Rare, Desirable and Iconic U.S. Inspected and 1887 Dated Colt Model 1883
Gatling Gun with Field Carriage - Serial no. 463, 45-70 Government cal., 32 inch
round encased bbl., bronze finish. This is a fine example of a U.S. Government inspected
Colt Model 1883 Gatling gun with carriage. It was shipped to the U.S. Army on May 20, 1887. Ahead
of the Accles drum magazine the casing is marked/engraved “MANUFD BY/Colt’s Pat F.A. Mfg. Co/
HARTFORD CONN.” accented by some light scrollwork. It is marked “1887” just behind the magazine
over a round plaque marked “GATLING’S/BATTERY/GUN/PAT. NOV 4. 1862/MAY 9. 1865/FEB 28. 1871/
APR 9. 1872/MADE BY COLT’S/PT. FIRE ARMS/MFG. CO./HARTFORD, CONN/USA.” Below the plaque it is
marked with David F. Clark’s “D.F.C.” inspection mark over “MODEL 1883/No-463/CAL. 45.” At the rear are
a pair of arrows aimed to the rear over one aimed towards the muzzle and “GA”. The trunnions are marked
“U.S.”. Two donut-shaped brass Accles drum magazines are included. One has Clark’s inspection mark, and
the other is unmarked. These “donut” drums were the most advanced feed method used on Gatling guns but
proved too sensitive for sustained field use. They held 104 rounds of ammunition but could be disabled if they were
not kept immaculately clean or if they were dented by enemy fire or poor handling. The gun is fitted on an original
U.S. inspected carriage marked “WATERVLIET ARSENAL 1886 US5” on the front. The wheels are marked “ARCHIBALD WHEEL
CO. LAWRENCE MASS” near the axle. The carriage has storage boxes for magazines and other equipment. One opens from the
top, and the other has a rear door that hinges upwards. It is just over 4 feet 2 inches long, and the wheels stand around 4 feet 7 inches tall
and are 6 feet 3 inches apart. The height to the top of the magazine is 5 1/2 feet. The Gatling gun was first developed in 1861 by Dr. Richard Jordan
Gatling who received a first patent covering “Improvements in Revolving Battery Guns.”