WASHINGTON, Ark. If your interests run to antique weaponry, Historic Washington State Park now provides a chance to see a large, impressive example up close at its B.W. Edwards Weapons Museum.
The state park recently acquired a Gatling gun via loan. Josh Williams, the park curator, and Ernie Cox, the park's weapons curator, will greet visitors Saturday and talk with them about the 19th century, rapid-fire machine gun, according to a news release.
The museum opens from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays, with a $3 charge to tour the museum and see the gun, which was built circa 1877 by Connecticut-based Colt Manufacturing Co. The Gatling gun will call the weapons museum home for the next two years.
This particular Gatling gun was formerly stationed on the Old State House Museum grounds. The gun was later moved indoors and then restored in 1980. The restoration work replaced much of the old wood with new wood, according to Historic Washington State Park.
Richard J. Gatling invented the weapon in 1861 during the Civil War. It later saw action overseas in 19th century conflicts like the Anglo-Zulu War. It also saw 1877 stateside use during the Great Railroad Strike in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, according to the state park.
This particular gun now displayed at Historic Washington may have been used during the Spanish-American War.
According to History.com, the Gatling gun was soon replaced as technology advanced. However, newer variations of the Gatling gun were later revived. With its top-mounted magazine, the gun's barrel loads single cartridges. To use the gun, crank a handwheel at the rear of it. Doing so turns the barrel.
The Gatling gun is not the only weaponry to be found at Historic Washington State Park. The weapons museum hosts an array of weapons, including muskets, revolvers and the famous Bowie knife. Most of the collection comes from B.W. Edwards, who was a building contractor in nearby Hope, according to Arkansas State Parks.
(Buy tickets at the 1874 Hempstead County Courthouse Visitor Center. For any questions, call Historic Washington State Park at 870-983-2684.)