Heavy Weapons

Model 1881 Gatling Gun and Bear Claw Gatling
These are ten-barreled .45-70 weapons fired by rotating a crank handle, firing each barrel as it lines up with the breech. The rotation allows the barrels to cool between shots. The weapon weighs 170 lbs, is 43" long, and requires either a pintle mount, the pictured tripod,  or a carriage. These weapons are both US surplus (the US military is converting its guns to use Krag ammunition)  and newly manufactured weapons (sold as the Bear Claw). The difference between the two models is that the surplus weapons are better quality. The Mexican Federal Government prohibits these weapons in private hands, but has made exceptions for the security forces of major companies. Bear Claws are being smuggled to rebels groups, and are also sold to the Federal Army.

A gatling can fire six rounds per count; changing a magazine takes 12 counts for the gunner, or 6 for an assistant. An assistant can top off an magazine in place with 10 rounds in 3 counts using standard 20 round military packaging.

Magazines hold 40 rounds and weigh five pounds. They can be manufactured in any machine shop for $5, or purchased in the USA for $3.

A Bear Claw costs $600 in the USA, but smuggling them into Mexico is a felony. A pintle mount can be manufactured in any work shop for $6. The pictured tripod mount costs $25.

The Gatling very seldom jams due to heat or feed issues, but black powder fouling will begin slowing the weapon after extended firing; a model 1881 will start to experience difficulties at 1000-1500 rounds fired since last cleaning; a Bear Claw in 500-750 rounds. Cleaning a Gatling takes six man-hours and two gallons of coal oil; up to four can take part. 

The Gatling fires with a base accuracy of 23, with -1 BAcc per 100' (and modifiers for shooting conditions); they are intended for area fire, and take penalties for engaging individual man-sized targets due to the primitive sights. There are no tracer rounds, so the gun many only fire suppression at illuminated targets. 

If carried on a mule, the gun and tripod take up the entire pack saddle due to size.

 

Krupp Model C/64 gun/howitzer
An Imperial German field piece adopted in 1864, and exported to Bulgaria, Romania, and Ottoman Turkey. No longer in German service, numerous of these guns have been provided to the Mexican Federal government as military aid. A few have been captured by rebel factions, but ammunition is hard to come by for the rebels.

The gun is a 78mm (3.1"), rifled, breech loading piece with separate powder and projectile. The weapon and carriage weighs 1500 lbs.  It can fire high explosive , shrapnel, or cannister shells, all roughly 12 lbs in weight. It has an effective range of two miles.

37mm Hotchkiss Rotary Cannon 
A French six-barreled gun based upon the Gatling principle, the weapon is fed by a ten-round feed case which fits into the angled feed rank on the upper left side of the gun. It requires 2 counts to ready the gun and one count to fire. The feed case can be released leaving three rounds in the hopper, and a fresh case slotted in place within 15 counts by the gunner or 8 counts by a loader, or 4 if two loaders are used (STR 4+ required, otherwise add +2 counts).

The gun has a range of 2000 yards (slightly over a mile).

A feed case is 8 lbs empty and $20; shells weigh two pounds each, and come in HE and canister (24 0.5” balls), $2 and $3 respectively. The gun weighs 1100 lbs ($3000), and requires a pintle mount ($74) or carriage (250lbs, $200). 

A gun shield can be added to protect the crew, weighs 75 lbs, costs $50.

A number of these guns have been purchased by the Federal government, and the rebels as yet to capture any. The US Navy has deployed several of these guns to support the Marines in Vera Cruz. These guns are not commercially available.

Heavy Weapons

Mexico: 1889 Bud Bud