Military dominance is something which is measured by the ability to overpower an enemy through firepower, manpower and having the right numbers. To gain the edge, there has been a steady march towards better and more sophisticated weapons. While some weapons have ended in pure tragedy, there are others, like the Gatling gun which have ushered in a new era of military fighting and an ability to establish dominance on the battlefield. Today, there have been many weapons which have spawned from this one invention and it still lives in a special place in the hearts of those who are keen on weaponry.
To get to know the Gatling gun, it is a good idea to know about the history of the weapon. It is also a good idea to know where you might be able to view one in person. Of course, it is a good idea to know about how the weapon functioned which made it unique. Knowing all of this will help you to have a better understanding of the weapon and what made it so special to all of those who used it in the military and in private use throughout the world.
The History of the Weapon
While this weapon was not the first automatic weapon, it was the first of its design. Until the time that it was patented in 1865, the only weapons which were automatic were ones which were used to fire large and explosive devices. These weapons included the Maxim and more. The original name of the weapon was the Battery Gun. However, it was nicknamed for the man who invented the weapon, Gatling. It is still known to this day by most people not for the originally intended name, but for the man who created it.
Where to See the Weapon
If you are curious to see one of these weapons up close and personal, you can go to a range of different military museums to see it. It was used heavily in the American Civil War where it saw its first action in a military skirmish. A look at museums for both sides will show you unique looks at the Gatling gun as well as information about how it was used to maintain dominance in certain battles throughout the battlefields. You will also likely see pictures of the troops or personnel which used the weapon on a daily basis.
How the Weapon Functioned
The thing which made the design of the Gatling gun unique and beloved was the fact that it operated so smoothly. It did not require reloading every time the chambers were emptied. Instead, the spent cartridges would eject automatically and new ones would load themselves into the chambers. There was a different barrel for each shot which was fired and it was given a chance to cool in between firings to prevent overheating, jamming and even melting the weapon which was bound to happen in earlier attempts to make an automatic weapon. It was operated by a hand crank.