A US Colt Model 1877 Bulldog Gatling gun has sold for $395,000 at Heritage Auctions.

The lot headlined the December 14 Arms & Armor Signature Auction in Dallas, the third in a series of civil war sales that brought in a combined $3.1m.

Richard Gatling invented the Gatling gun in 1861

The 1877 Bulldog was among the first to enclose the breech and barrel, giving it its distinctive cannon-like appearance.

It's topped with a circular plaque that reads "Gatling's Battery Gun" and the serial number 207.

Richard Gatlin (1818-1903) invented his new weapon in 1861, just in time for the civil war. It did not see much action, however, as although Gatling lived in the north he originated from North Carolina and was distrusted in the atmosphere of the time.

Later it was adopted by the Colonial powers, which used it to subdue tribal revolts in Africa and Asia.

Heritage commented: "The rarity of number 207 is due to its being a documented U.S. Army purchase and a limited production gun. Part of the appeal of this model is its ease of storage. They are almost never seen on the market."

Tom Slater, director of Americana auctions at Heritage, said: "Collectors' demand for fresh-to-market firearms and Civil War relics with strong provenance always brings strong results. All three auctions held something for every collector."

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