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Historic Spanish-America War Era Colt U.S. Model 1895 Gatling Gun, that may have seen Battle at San Juan Hill
Gatling battery, if well handled; for I believe that it could be pushed fairly to the front of the firing-line. At any rate, this is the way that Lieut. Parker used his battery when he went into action at San Juan, and when he kept it in the trenches beside the Rough Riders before Santiago.”This Model 1895 example is a very worthy contender to have been one of the actual four in use by Parker’s Gatling Gun Detachment, with no currently identified serial numbers of which ones participated. Features a notch front sight mounted on the right ahead of an adjustable V-notch rear sight. The right side of the cartridge hopper is engraved with an arrow pointing forward. This Model 1895 utilizes
a Bruce feed system and comes with one magazine. It still retains some it’s correct period olive drab green paint (an original feature of the Model 1895 Gatling!) underneath the breech casing and in protected areas underneath the cartridge hopper. Matching number “10” is marked on the front top flat of the frame, behind the front barrel retainer on top of all the barrels, front and rear barrel retainers, on the outside and inside of the cartridge hopper, ejector, top rear of all the bolts, underneath the breech casing, on the left rear surface of the breech cover, on the crank locking piece, and on the bolt plug. The black painted barrels
are marked at the breech with numbers “1” through “10”,
In the included book, “The Gatlings at Santiago,” John Parker himself states on pages 259-260, “I was placed
in charge of four guns, model 1895, cal. 30, and at once began the instruction of the detachment... On June 6th, I took my men and guns aboard the transport Cherokee... On June 25th I received verbal instruction from Gen. Shafter to disembark at once [for Cuba], select the necessary number of mules (two per gun), and get to the front as soon as possible...” On page 269 Parker states, “The efficiency of the work of my guns was attested to me by numerous Spanish officers and prisoners. Their favorite expression was: ‘It was terrible when your guns opened, always. They went b-r-r-r-r, like a lawn mower cutting the grass over our trenches. We could not stick a finger up when you fired without getting it cut off-so!’” Pages 6-7 quotes Theodore Roosevelt, “If a troop of my regiment was sent off to guard some road or some break in the lines, we were almost certain to get Parker to send a Gatling along, and, whether the change was made by day or by night, the Gatling went... certainly, if I were to command either
a regiment or a brigade, whether of cavalry or infantry, I would try to get a Gatling battery-under a good man-with me. I feel sure that the greatest possible assistance would be rendered, under almost all circumstances, by such a
“R.A.C.” (Rinaldo A. Carr) inspection initials, and “V/P/eagle head” proofs. The bolts are also numbered “1” through “10” on the top front. Includes a separate caisson on Archibald wheels designed to carry extra ammunition. The caisson attaches to the yoke of the carriage by means of the towing hook. Also includes a resin portrait of Theodore Roosevelt titled “The Rough Rider” (14.5”x17.5”), empty shell casings, and reloading dies. The Gatling Gun revolutionized warfare, and with Gatling’s engineering invention changed the way wars were fought forever; with the successful use of Model 1895s like this example solidifying the Gatling gun’s legacy.
CONDITION: Fine, attractive bright patina, areas of its olive drab green paint visible as noted above, scattered light
to moderate pitting on the iron components, and crisp markings. Mechanically excellent. Carriage and caisson are both also fine with some light paint chips, and sturdy overall. This is a solid representative example of a Spanish- American War era Colt U.S. Model 1895 Gatling gun and has all of the desirable early features that indicate it may have possibly seen action at San Juan Hill. This would make an excellent addition to any U.S. Military collection! Estimate: 140,000 - 225,000
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