Gatling gun

The Gatling gun' was the first highly successful rapid-repeating firearm. It was the first firearm to combine reliability, high firing rate and ease of loading into a single device. It was designed by the American inventor Richard J. Gatling, in 1861 and patented on May 9, 1862. In modern usage it typically refers to guns with a similar rotating barrel design.

In the short story "Half the Battle," Pedro of Canoga discovered a description and pictures of the Gatling gun and brought it to the attention of King Bryon. Bryon had him reverse engineer the weapon for use in war against the forces of Duke Rico of Pacoim.