9. Swivel Cannons

Swivel cannons were small, versatile naval guns used aboard ships from the 1500s through the 1700s. Mounted on a rotating yoke along a ship’s rail, fighting top, or forecastle, they could be quickly aimed, making them ideal for close-quarters combat.

Unlike large deck guns meant to damage hulls, swivel cannons were primarily anti-personnel weapons. Often loaded with grapeshot, scrap iron, or small stones, they were devastating during boarding actions. Their wide arc of fire made them effective against enemy crews on deck or in the rigging.

Common on merchant vessels, naval ships, and pirate craft, swivel guns delivered outsized psychological impact through noise, smoke, and lethal force at close range.

Swivel cannons were produced as base-mounted or yoke-mounted guns and as muzzle-loading or breech-loading weapons, the latter using removable chambers for faster reloading.