This is a fantastic original example of an extremely rare COLT "Camel" Gatling gun, so named because of it's shorter 18 inch barrels, and overall length of 35 1/2 inches which allowed the complete weapon to be mounted on a wheel wooden carriage and pulled around via camel power. Only a total of 56 of this model of gatling gun was ever produced, with the specific example being SN 40. This size Gatling Gun would have possessed great utility as a weapon during this time and having it transported via a camel was probably the least likely of any possible modes of transportation. Obviously, mounts and gatling guns were made, however there is very limited evidence aside from a few pictures, that there ever was a Gatling equipped camel corps. The Camel Gun had essentially the same specifications of the long barrel Model 1874 with the above noted exceptions, with an unmounted weight of 135 pounds. The round plate affixed to the top of the breech housing is marked "GATLIN G'S / BATTERY / GUN" over a series of patent dates over "PT. FIRE ARMS / MFG CO / HARTFORD, CONN / USA" and this specific gun is marked "NO 40 / US" on top of the right side frame rail, with the top rear section of the housing having a light "OWA" inspector's stamp indicating acceptance by O. W. Ainsworth. The same Government inspector who accepted Colt SAAs during this time frame. While small short barreled Gatling Guns were made as early as 1871, it was the improvements incorporated into the 1874 Model that made it possible to develop the true "Camel Gun". The gun has the cavalry cart mounting plate which attaches to the all metal Broadway carriage, that attaches to the original, full size wooden, two wheeled carriage that accompanies this weapon, the improved oscillator, headspace adjusting system, insulated barrel shaft, feed hopper and magazine (not included). The Model 1874 has an adjustable set screw passing through the center of the frame and bearing on the front end of the axle on which the barrel cluster revolves. By adjusting the screw, the barrels can be brought closer to or farther from the breech bolts, setting headspace to the proper tolerance. This eliminated the always present problem of the distance from the bolt face to head of a chambered round in Gatling Guns. If set before firing it soon became to tight as the barrel unit heated and expanded. This gun is equipped with an adjustable rear sight mounted on the right side of the frame and the folding front blade sight found only on the Model 1874's. The Model 1874 also incorporated an improved feed hopper designed to accept a new straight vertically inserted "stick" type of magazine. As noted this weapon is complete with an original, "full size" two-wheeled wooden carriage, that measures approximately 55 inches high and 120 inch long to the end of the trails, with two full size ammunition boxes on each side with five original, gravity feed, vertically inserted, "stick" type magazines, all of which are "US" marked. The carriage and wheels still retains their original metal hardware and rims. The gun is also complete with the short barrel crate and a canvas barrel cover. The short sides of the crate are marked "NO 24" over the wooden handles and "ATLG . GUN CAL. 45 / 10 BBL. SHORT. C&P / MODEL 1874" under the handles. It is missing the lid. The crate measures approximately 13 1/2 x 41 1/2 x 11 1/2 inches. The right side of the cover is ink marked "U.S. / GATLING GUN / CAL 45 / SHORT BARREL" at the rear and "ROCK ISLAND / ARSENAL / 1903" at the front.

Fine. The metal surfaces have a crisp smooth mottled brown patina. The brass has a dark pleasant aged "mustard" color patina. The mounting base retains about 70% of the black paint finish with some light rust and moderate overall pitting. The wooden carriage is all original currently has an old dark green painted finish to protect the wood. Overall the carriage is very solid and showing only some minor age cracks just here and there. The receiver housing, and rear barrel rotor is correctly numbered to match all the barrels and each barrel has their firing sequence number on, 1-10. Just a super example of a complete and all original 1874 pattern Colt Gatling gun with wheeled carriage. This is the first one of these we have offered for sale and writer doubts if we will have another. The crate is good with moderate to heavy handling and storage nicks, dings and gouges with a couple of large slivers of wood missing. The markings are difficult to read. The construction is sound. The canvas cover is very good with a few stains, all strapes intact, readable markings and tight stitching. Of all the variations of Colt Gatling Gun that exist, writer believes this to be the most desirable.