Description

A unique chapter in the history of firearms, the multibarrel, hand-cranked Gatling gun was one of the first practical rapid-fire weapons ever to be used in battle. It changed warfare by introducing the capability to project deadly, high-intensity fire on the battlefield, and portended the devastation that automatic weapons would wreak in World War I. During its 50-year career, it saw widespread service with US, British, and other forces on a host of battlefields through conflicts in Zululand and the American West, to the Spanish-American War. Although it saw widespread use in the hands of industrialized nations against various groups of indigenous native warriors, it was famously left behind by Custer at the battle of the Little Bighorn, where some argue it could have made all the difference. Featuring full-colour artwork plus contemporary and close-up photographs, this engaging study investigates the origins, development, combat use, and lasting influence of the formidable Gatling gun.

Product details

Published May 20 2015
Format Ebook (PDF)
Edition 1st
Extent 80
ISBN 9781472805980
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations 30 b/w; 34 col
Series Weapon
Short code WPN 40
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Illustrator

Johnny Shumate

Johnny Shumate works as a freelance illustrator li…

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