Model 1877 Bulldog Gatling Gun





Model 1877 Bulldog Gatling Gun used in Manila during the Philippine-American War (1899-1902).



• Weight: 135 lbs(270 lbs w/ tripod)
• Number of Barrels: 5-10
• Barrel length: 18 1/4"
• Overall Length: 34"
• Cartridge Caliber: 45-70 Government
• Range: +1000 yards
• Rate fire: 1000 per minute
• Cartridge magazine block: 40 rds
• Service: US Military 1877 -

Similar to the 1895 Gatling Gun, the Model 1877 would be the improved and improvised version of the original model. The Bulldog model differed in many ways to the original design. The smaller compact size allowed the weapon to be much lighter, which allowed for easier deployment. The barrels, as well as the breech operating section, were fully encased in bronze for better heat dissipation. For loading, the Bruce Feed Device was developed and used. Rather than the use of spring loaded box magazines, cartridges were filed in to wood blocks or cartons and attached directly to the top of the gun. Once firing began, cartridges would feed in to the weapon by gravity alone. Later model gatling guns would also use the Bruce feed device. The crank system also differed, in that it was rear-mounted, rather than the original side mount. By being rear-mounted the barrel units were driven and revolved directly to the crank, versus the gearing system of the older side mounted design which reduced the turn ratio on the revolution of the barrel unit. This direct driven rear crank would allow for a much higher rate of fire.

These lighter gatling guns were also cheaper to produce and were initially to be assigned to Cavalry units. The US Army would purchase 17 Bulldogs, and later the US Navy would also purchase several of these mini gatling guns. A few examples would later make their way to the Philippines and be used during the Spanish-American War as well as the Philippine Campaigns(1899-1914).

Photo courtesy of http://www.usarmamentcorp.com/
US Armament Corp currently produces working replicas of the M1877 Bulldog Gatling Gun.

References:
http://www.usarmamentcorp.com/index_gatling_gun.php
http://ww2.rediscov.com/spring/VFPCGI.exe?IDCFile=/spring/DETAILS.IDC,SPECIFIC=10175,DATABASE=73067895,