RICHARD J. GATLING (1818-1903) American businessman and inventor of the precursor to 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. Bold autograph on a small sheet, in full: "R.J. Gatling Hartford , Conn. May 10th 1884". Light mounting traces to verso, otherwise very good. $200-300