Civil War Gatling gun sells for $173k

Two Gatling guns have sold in a Massachusetts auction for $172,500 and $69,000. The former remains fully operational.

The higher priced Gatling is a Colt Model 1883 .45 caliber with 10 rotating barrels in beautiful condition. The other is from 1874.

These two, alongside an 1861 ordinance rifle cannon carriage mount which went for $28,750, were the top-selling lots.

The two day auction held by Fountaine's Auction Gallery involved an impressive 800 bidders, with 300 online and 200 on the phone.

They competed for over 800 items, including vintage muskets, revolvers, rifles and cannons, alongside swords, drums, uniforms, coats and frocks.

A Confederate Fayetteville 1864 muzzle-loader armory rifle was the only other item to sell for more than $20,000, bringing $23,000.

The lots were dominated by Civil War items, based around the collection of the late George J Bisacca.

Nevertheless, there were items from other periods, such as a British sea service musket from the time of the American Revolution, which sold for for $4,600.

The sale continues to indicate the strength of the militaria market, with other recent sales also proving successful.

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