Gatling Tripods

[Collector]

I have a question regarding the three leg wood and brass tripods that the Gatlings sit on


Is there any differences between the scale models and full size ones leg angles and what is the angle that they are normally set at when opened


When the tripod is folded closed is there a stop for each leg to avoid touching the others to prevent damage to the finish


I expect the round feet at the bottom is the closest part on each leg to come close to each other and do they normally have a strap around the legs or anything to keep them closed when transporting the tripod


Thanks

[Sparky_NY]

Gatlings were refined over many years back in the 1800\'s and early 1900\'s.    Very few pictures are around of ones tripod mounted, most were mounted on field carriages.    No doubt this was due to the guns weighing around 300lbs.      I wouldn\'t be surprised that different versions of tripods were used over the years.

 

As for the scaled replicas....   most are only semi scale replicas,  not exact.   Individual builders do their own modifications to the guns,  usually improvements.   I have done two tripods for gatlings,  neither was a exact scale replica.    They were not even replicas !     Mostly this was because after much searching I could not find decent pictures of period original tripods,  only sketches.

 

The main consideration is that the tripod be VERY sturdy.    My .357 gatling weights a bit over 70lbs empty, not including the tripod.  

 

The D&E 22 rimfire gatling plans include tripod plans.    The D&E gun was scaled from a original gun and is quite accurately scaled.   I would guess their tripod plans are accurate replicas also but its only a guess.

 

Another possible source would be Colt,  they are offering a true replica gatling through their custom shop,  it has a tripod.   Here is a video of that gun that shows the tripod.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ildteJbZ9Jw&t=279s

[Collector]

Thanks for the reply


It just seems like an easier mount to use at the range rather than a wheeled set up to transport


I quite like the look of the Colt one in the video, it looks beefy and sturdy all right


For a smaller scale Gatling I think it looks right with a tripod and should be fine to shoot off


Your right about not finding much information on the originals hence me asking the question here

[Sparky_NY]

Here is one I made in the last few weeks for my .357 gun.    Gun weights a bit over 70lbs empty.     Legs are 1-1/2 square that I found at a flea market.   Tripod is 3ft tall opened and the legs form a 3ft circle at the bottom.     The round plate at top is 7 inch dia.     The sockets for the legs were made with 2x4 tubing 1/4 wall cut at angles and welded to a 1-3/4 round bushing in the center with a 5/8 hole for the bolt to mount the gun.    

 

I just winged it,  3ft tall seemed like a good height for my gun,  puts the crank at a comfortable height.   It is extremely stable with the heavy gun on it.

 

George

 

(click the pic to get a much enlarged version)

[Collector]

The Gatling and tripod looks great


Nothing like brass, steel and wood to make a gun look right


When folded are the legs touching each other or is there a stop to limit how close they get to one another

[Sparky_NY]

They touch at the bottom.     For now,  I put square rubber brown furniture pads on the leg bottoms.      The area that touches folded is only a point contact sort of thing so damage isn\'t really a problem.

 

The top section of the wood legs are \"sleeved\" with 1-1/2 square tubing  1/16 wall for added strength and to look somewhat like the original.     The tripod parts were powder coated gloss black for durability.

 

 

PS   Seems I lied about being able to click the picture for a larger version.    The pic on this page will enlarge when clicked.

          http://www.gatlinggunforum.com/forum/index.php?/topic/1287-38357-prototype/page-29#entry9164\'>http://www.gatlinggunforum.com/forum/index.php?/topic/1287-38357-prototype/page-29#entry9164