Model 1862 Gatling Gun Cartridges
Posted by Bill Dalin on 10/15/2016, 11:04 am
I always assumed the original design in .58 cal. , especially the first ones purchased by Benjamin Butler in 1863, fired loose powder and ball and were fired by use of a percussion cap. I recently obtained a copy of Julia Kellers book about the development of the gun and she mentions that the first ones, destroyed by fire in Cincinnati were percussion but that the next batch and the ones purchased by Butler fired the new metallic cartridge ( I assume she is referring to the rimfire .58 ??) Is that true? Were the actual combat served guns during the Civil War firing rimfire cartridges? Anyone Know?
|