Bill Woodin's .45-70 "Bulldog" Gatling Gun Auction

Mel · August 9, 2019, 9:15pm

At the risk of being severely criticized again for running a post about something from the Woodin Laboratory being auctioned, I know that many of you have seen, or are aware of, Bill Woodin’s spectacular .45-70 Model 1877 Gatling Gun that was on display for many years at the back of the Laboratory. It is being auctioned by Rock Island Auction as lot 1105 in their 6 Sep 19 Premier auction, https://www.rockislandauction.com/catalog/77/1/?lot=1105.

FYI, Bill’s Chinese Jingal wall rifle will be auctioned by Morphy Auctions https://auctions.morphyauctions.com at sometime in the future. No date set yet.

AmmoOne · August 9, 2019, 11:50pm

Mel, Thank you for the important information.

JohnS · August 10, 2019, 2:47am

Here’s another link which goes direct to the more detailed description and price estimate ($275-400K which is a decimal place or two above my toy allowance). No mention of the provenance, which I would have thought might have added interest or value. Great gun, great former owner and the market will determine the value.
https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/77/1105/colt-model-1877-bulldog-gatling-gun-with-tripod

Sportclay · August 10, 2019, 12:21pm

The person presenting the gun could have been better informed and given more background on this particular gun.

JohnS · August 10, 2019, 5:56pm

Recommend everyone skip the Rock Island video and watch a 10:00 minute video from Forgotten Weapons.com describing the history, mechanical details and live fire with a replica of the M1877 Bulldog,

Note that he demonstrates loading the feed guide by stripping the cartridge from a wooden substitute for the special cardboard boxes specially made for use with Gatling guns.

ArmourerJim · August 10, 2019, 8:10pm

John,

I was lucky enough to have had a good look at this gun in 2003, see attached.

Armourerjim

JohnMoss · August 11, 2019, 11:40pm

Mel - I am about as sensitive as it gets when it comes to anything to do with Bill. However, I see nothing to criticize your notification of these sales posted here. You are doing a service to the IAA members, certainly in no way the obligation of the family who are not members, as well as the possibility of extending the number of bidders which is a service to the family. Everyone wins, my friend!

I couldn’t bid on it, but I personally appreciate you posting the information.

John Moss

AmmoOne · August 13, 2019, 11:31am

In Bill Woodin’s own words, in Small Arms Review Magazine :
“Our main concern is keeping the integrity of the collection whole and having it as an international reference point for future generations. We believe that access to this collection and the unique information it contains is extremely important, far beyond its usefulness to cartridge collectors.”
and a QUOTE from the IAA Journal on Issue 521,May / June 2018, Page 28. by F.W.Hackley, last sentence. " Hopefully, his (Bill Woodin) “life work will be preserved and continue by others at some future time.”
Great Picture of Beth and Bill below.