The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-06-25
THE GATLING GUN.
The Most Terrible Weapon Known to Moder1
Warfare.

The Most Terrible Weapon Known to Modern
Warfare.
The Scientific American OF the 14th inst
devotes two pages to descriptions and illus
trations of the celebrated Calling gun. We
reproduce that portion of the article which
does not relate to the illustrations:
Among the many important and valuable
inventions in firearms, of which the present
century has been prolific, there is none that
equals the Calling gun in originality OF
design, rapidity of fire, and effectiveness.
The severest tests and trials, and its practical
use in warfare, have indisputably established
its high reputa. lion as a most formidable
death dealing weapon.
The main features of the gun may be sum-
med up as follows: 1t has usually five or
10 barrels, each barrel having its CORES pond
ing lock. The barrels and locks revolve to-
gether; but in addition to this action, the
locks have q forward and backward motion
the cartridges in the chs mbers of the barrels
and closes the breech at the time of each
discharge while the backward motion ex-
tracts the empty cartridge cases after firing.
The gun can be fired only when the barrels
i are in motion from left to right; thus as long
as the gun isrevolved and fed with cartridges
the several operations OF loading, firing and
extracting are carried on automatically,
uniformly and continuously. The gun is
supplied from feed cases containing 40 cart
ridges each) which fit into hopper commu-
nicsting with the chambers; as soon as one
case is emptIed another takes its place, and
thus continuous firing is kept up at the rate
of over 1000 shots per minute.
We believe the Calling is the only firearm
in the world in which the three sets of parts,
namely, barrel, locks, and inner breech, all
revolve. Having the barrels, locks, and In
ner breech to revolve simultaneously, ena-
bles the gun to be loaded and fired rapidly
aud continuously, while under revolution,
and without producing recoil to destroy its
accuracy.
That the gun is simple and durable
is evidenced by the fact that 100, 600
without injury to any of its parts. The
Calling guns represented in our illustration
on first page are supplied with the new ele-
waiting and ranging fixture, which enables
the operator to instantly elevate, depress, or
traverse the gun, so as TO keep it pointed at
movable objects while being fired. The gun
has not only been recently greatly improved,
but its ammunition also. so that now its
rate of fire is over 1000 shots per
minute. There are a number of these guns
with tn British forces in South Africa, and
in several engagements with the Zulus they
have done most efficient service. Lord
Chelmsford, in his official dispatch, dated
Durbau, April 10, says, in speaking of an at
tack made on the column sent to relieve
Colonel Pearson, at Ekowe: 1.-THE Calling
| gun was of considerable value at this period
of the defense" The London Standard of
May publishes an account of the battle of
Gingihlovo, tfom which we take the follow
ing extract: 's1twas no use Offering mercy
to the hulus. The wounded, as our men
came UP, fought on 70 the last, firing their
rifles, stabbing with their assegais, and even
Selling the natives as they passed over them
with their teeth, biting like dogs, So in spite
of the efforts of our officers, they were all
cut down. When all was over and we
counted the dead, there lay. within radius
in some places, of from IA to 80, dead
moved down by the fire of the eating
which tells upon them more than the fire q
| the rifles"
This gun is manufactured by the Gatlin,
Gun company, of Hartford, Conn.