Gatling Gun Cartridges (Rimfire)

[Cannonman1]

Does anyone know when the first Gatling Gun was made with the .58 caliber rimfire cartridge?  I read in J. Kellers book on the development of the gun that in 1863 the first Gatlings were made following the fire that destroyed the initial 6 guns and that this new batch were retooled to fire the .58 caliber metallic cartridge. This would have to have been the rimfire.. When was the rimfire .58 round released or patented.. The Spencer round was just a tad smaller but the technology was there. Anyone know?

Thanks
Bill

[Pitspitr]

I don't know, but...

The .58 rimfire use in small arms was limited to the model 1865 Springfield, the first of the conversion trapdoors and only in a small number. The model 1866 used the .50/70.

[Cannonman1]

Jerry,
Thanks for that information.. Pretty much puts that to rest.

Best Regards
Bill