Early pivot guns

OK, it's a tough question, I agree.

 But I did find this small glimmer of hope, http://www.jotika-ltd.com/Pages/1024768/Nelson_14.htm

Notice the obvious patent infringement of the ball-bearing principle just recently patented by Englishman (actually Welshman) Phillip Vaughn in 1794.  Hopefully, Leonardo da Vinci forgives, or even admires, the end result.

Again, I apologise for such a difficult question.

Jack

Jack:

I do not know for sure who invented the pivot gun, but the earliest example I have seen is Oneida. I have never seen a deck mounted pivot gun rigged on a Revolutionary War vessel. Certainly none of them American ships that have been documented had them.

They were quite prevalent in US built privateers and revenue cutters in the early 19th century, primarily in the War of 1812 and afterwards. Aside from that, I have not seen them used any earlier.  

In The History of the American Sailing Ships, Chapelle shows and 1830 era mount for a pivot gun on US Navy ships. It is for a sliding carriage mounted gun.

Russ