( Gatling Gun) Richard J. Gatling 1818-1903 American businessman and inventor of the precursor of the machine gun, the Gatling gun. his invention was used with great effect during the Civil War, and in some forms is still in use today. An exceedingly rare original bronze identifying disc plate once attached to a Gatling gun! The plate reads Gatling's Battery Gun Pat. Nov 4,1862 May 9 1885 Made By Colt's Pt. Fire Arms Mfg Co. Hartford, Conn. U.S.A. Only a very few of these guns survive today, thus any relic from an original Gatling gun is incredibly rare. In fine condition, with oxidized green patina.