swivel gun

American  

noun

1. a gun mounted on a pedestal so that it can be turned from side to side or up and down.

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Etymology

Origin of swivel gun

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

The chamber in which they were found was a separate piece of a breach-loading swivel gun that was likely kept on the top deck because it was used as an anti-personnel weapon, Farrell said.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 15, 2018

But the man who was at home behind a swivel gun proved ill at ease behind a desk.

From Time Magazine Archive

Forward, a very formidable display was made by a twenty-four pound swivel gun, whilst a long swivel eighteen pound carronade astern seemed to threaten destruction to every foe.

From Lander's Travels The Travels of Richard Lander into the Interior of Africa by Huish, Robert

There was one swivel gun, which the men had brought with them in one of the wagons.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, February, 1852 by

I am mounting a long eighteen as a swivel gun, this voyage, in addition to those I carried before.

From Held Fast For England A Tale of the Siege of Gibraltar (1779-83) by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)