Rifle vs. Gun

[Seaspriter]

In the Navy, our terminology differed a bit from the Army. Our destroyer's "big guns" referred to our 5 inch 54 which could put a shell over a small mountain range on the Ho Chi Min Trail 15 miles inland, firing at 45-50 rounds a minute (it was designed for 60 r/m, but jammed at that speed). These were dwarfed by the "really big guns" on the cruisers. I recall the first time on duty on the firing line when eight ships -- several cruisers, destroyers, and frigates -- let loose with "gun fire support" barrage almost simultaneously that sent a shock wave that shuddered our ship.

Never did I hear the gunner's mates refer to our "guns" as "rifles" -- the differentiating term was "small arms" meaning anything that could be carried by hand. And small arms, including BARs, M-1s, and 1911 45 ACPs, were kept in the "weapons locker." Any handgun was referred to as a pistol, probably harking back to the days when pistols were flintlocks. Anyone specializing in weaponry was a "gunners mate."

Despite all these references, I must put the greatest credence in the observation of the well respected, indefatigable Mae West: "Is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?"