Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this ULTRA RARE AND DESIRABLE example today for auction; this is the Valley Engraving LLC Model 1878 Gatlin Gun .22LR!
The Model 1878 Gatling Gun represents the culmination of Richard J. Gatling’s hand-cranked firearm system, adopted in limited numbers by the U.S. military and various foreign governments during the late 19th century as one of the last major Gatling variants before the rise of automatic, recoil-operated machine guns. Modern examples produced by Valley Engraving LLC are faithful, meticulously crafted reproductions that preserve the mechanical layout, visual presence, and operational character of the original 1878 pattern while offering improved materials and tolerances. Due to the extreme labor, machining time, and specialized knowledge required to build these guns, production has always been very limited, with individual examples often built to order rather than in continuous runs. As a result, Valley Engraving Gatling Guns—particularly in .22 LR—are exceptionally scarce on the open market, most changing hands privately or remaining in long-term collections, making public auction offerings uncommon and highly sought after by advanced collectors and institutions alike.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: Valley Engraving LLC - Woodsfield, Ohio
Model: 1878 Gatlin Battery Gun (Scaled Colt Gatlin Gun Copy)
Serial: 8172012
Date of Manufacture: August 2012
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Finish: Blued Barrels w/ Brass External Parts
Barrel Length: 15.5"
Optics/Sights: Adjustable Rear Peep Sight w/ Fixed Front / Vertically Adjustable Handle and Tightening Screw
Stock/Grips: Circular Metal Standing Post w/ Containing Screw
Action: Crank Handle Operated Multi Shot Rotating Barrel / The Ten Barrels Rotate When Cranked, The Magazine Canister Allows 10 Rounds to be Fired Before Rotating the Canister to the Next 10 Round Slot. There are Ten, 10 Round Magazines in Each Canister of 100 Rounds.
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “GATLING GUN MODEL 1878 CALIBER .22 LONG RIFLE SERIAL NUMBER 8172012 BUILT BY VALLEY ENGRAVING LLC WOODSFIELD OHIO 43793”. The right side of the receiver is marked with “AUGUST 2012”. The top of the reciever is marked with a plaque “GATLING'S BATTERY GUN”, “PAT. NOV 4. 1862”, "MAY 9. 1865", “FEB 28. 1871”, “APR 9, 1872”, and “MANUFACTURED BY VALLEY ENGRAVING LLC WOODSFIELD, OHIO USA”.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Valley Engraving LLC Model 1878 Gatling Gun is a modern, half-scale reproduction of the Colt Model 1878 Gatling, produced with a strong emphasis on historical accuracy, craftsmanship, and mechanical authenticity. While visually faithful to the original large-caliber battery guns of the late 19th century, this example is chambered in .22 Long Rifle, a popular modern configuration that allows for economical operation while preserving the original Gatling mechanism and manual crank operation. The gun retains the classic multi-barrel cluster and gravity-fed hopper or drum-style feed system, with each rotation of the hand crank sequentially loading, firing, extracting, and ejecting cartridges in a mechanically timed cycle. Mechanically, the .22 LR configuration utilizes the same externally powered, hand-cranked system that made the Gatling design famous, classifying it as a manually operated repeating firearm rather than a machine gun under U.S. federal law. The receiver is typically machined from brass or bronze alloy, paired with blued or polished steel barrels, closely replicating period materials and finishes. Valley Engraving examples are known for their precision machining, smooth crank operation, and attention to period-correct markings and proportions, making them suitable for both functional demonstration and high-level display. Due to the limited production and labor-intensive nature of these reproductions, .22 LR Model 1878 Gatlings by Valley Engraving are considered highly desirable collector pieces, appealing to advanced collectors of historical arms, museums, and enthusiasts seeking an iconic 19th-century design in a practical, shootable format.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Model: 1878 Gatlin Battery Gun (Scaled Colt Gatlin Gun Copy)
Serial: 8172012
Date of Manufacture: August 2012
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Finish: Blued Barrels w/ Brass External Parts
Barrel Length: 15.5"
Optics/Sights: Adjustable Rear Peep Sight w/ Fixed Front / Vertically Adjustable Handle and Tightening Screw
Stock/Grips: Circular Metal Standing Post w/ Containing Screw
Action: Crank Handle Operated Multi Shot Rotating Barrel / The Ten Barrels Rotate When Cranked, The Magazine Canister Allows 10 Rounds to be Fired Before Rotating the Canister to the Next 10 Round Slot. There are Ten, 10 Round Magazines in Each Canister of 100 Rounds.
Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “GATLING GUN MODEL 1878 CALIBER .22 LONG RIFLE SERIAL NUMBER 8172012 BUILT BY VALLEY ENGRAVING LLC WOODSFIELD OHIO 43793”. The right side of the receiver is marked with “AUGUST 2012”. The top of the reciever is marked with a plaque “GATLING'S BATTERY GUN”, “PAT. NOV 4. 1862”, "MAY 9. 1865", “FEB 28. 1871”, “APR 9, 1872”, and “MANUFACTURED BY VALLEY ENGRAVING LLC WOODSFIELD, OHIO USA”.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Valley Engraving LLC Model 1878 Gatling Gun is a modern, half-scale reproduction of the Colt Model 1878 Gatling, produced with a strong emphasis on historical accuracy, craftsmanship, and mechanical authenticity. While visually faithful to the original large-caliber battery guns of the late 19th century, this example is chambered in .22 Long Rifle, a popular modern configuration that allows for economical operation while preserving the original Gatling mechanism and manual crank operation. The gun retains the classic multi-barrel cluster and gravity-fed hopper or drum-style feed system, with each rotation of the hand crank sequentially loading, firing, extracting, and ejecting cartridges in a mechanically timed cycle. Mechanically, the .22 LR configuration utilizes the same externally powered, hand-cranked system that made the Gatling design famous, classifying it as a manually operated repeating firearm rather than a machine gun under U.S. federal law. The receiver is typically machined from brass or bronze alloy, paired with blued or polished steel barrels, closely replicating period materials and finishes. Valley Engraving examples are known for their precision machining, smooth crank operation, and attention to period-correct markings and proportions, making them suitable for both functional demonstration and high-level display. Due to the limited production and labor-intensive nature of these reproductions, .22 LR Model 1878 Gatlings by Valley Engraving are considered highly desirable collector pieces, appealing to advanced collectors of historical arms, museums, and enthusiasts seeking an iconic 19th-century design in a practical, shootable format.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
Our #1 priority is customer satisfaction. We want to build a lasting trust in the relationship with our customers, so that you will always look to us for all your firearms needs. If you have any issues with your transactions please contact us, and we will work with you to resolve any issues you may have. We greatly appreciate your trust in us and we look forward to fulfilling all your future firearm needs.
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection. 
Additional Information
GunbrokerLink: |
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1153896606 |
BidPrice: |
10000 |
AuctionEndDate: |
2026-02-15 22:00:00 |
CurrentBid: |
0 |
