<P> The Gatling gun , patented in 1861 by Richard Jordan Gatling , was the first to offer controlled , sequential fire with mechanical loading . The design 's key features were machine loading of prepared cartridges and a hand - operated crank for sequential high - speed firing . It first saw very limited action in the American Civil War ; it was subsequently improved and used in the Franco - Prussian war and North - West Rebellion . Many were sold to other armies in the late 19th century and continued to be used into the early 20th century , until they were gradually supplanted by Maxim guns . Early multi-barrel guns were approximately the size and weight of contemporary artillery pieces , and were often perceived as a replacement for cannon firing grapeshot or canister shot . The large wheels required to move these guns around required a high firing position , which increased the vulnerability of their crews . Sustained firing of gunpowder cartridges generated a cloud of smoke , making concealment impossible until smokeless powder became available in the late 19th century . Gatling guns were targeted by artillery they could not reach , and their crews were targeted by snipers they could not see . The Gatling gun was used most successfully to expand European colonial empires , since against poorly equipped indigenous armies it did not face such threats . </P>
<P> The Gatling gun , patented in 1861 by Richard Jordan Gatling , was the first to offer controlled , sequential fire with mechanical loading . The design 's key features were machine loading of prepared cartridges and a hand - operated crank for sequential high - speed firing . It first saw very limited action in the American Civil War ; it was subsequently improved and used in the Franco - Prussian war and North - West Rebellion . Many were sold to other armies in the late 19th century and continued to be used into the early 20th century , until they were gradually supplanted by Maxim guns . Early multi-barrel guns were approximately the size and weight of contemporary artillery pieces , and were often perceived as a replacement for cannon firing grapeshot or canister shot . The large wheels required to move these guns around required a high firing position , which increased the vulnerability of their crews . Sustained firing of gunpowder cartridges generated a cloud of smoke , making concealment impossible until smokeless powder became available in the late 19th century . Gatling guns were targeted by artillery they could not reach , and their crews were targeted by snipers they could not see . The Gatling gun was used most successfully to expand European colonial empires , since against poorly equipped indigenous armies it did not face such threats . </P>
when was the first fully automatic weapon made
when was the first fully automatic weapon made
1861
1861