| Is Artillery: | yes |
| Is Uk: | yes |
| 18-pounder short gun | |
| Type: | Naval gun |
| Origin: | France |
| Used By: | France, Spain, Great Britain, Netherlands, Sweden, United States |
| Caliber: | 138.7 mm[1] |
| Cartridge Weight: | 8.8 kg |
The 18-pounder short gun was an intermediary calibre piece of artillery mounted on warships and merchantmen of the Age of sail. It was a lighter version of the 18-pounder long gun, compromising power and range for weight.
In his discussion of the single-ship action in which the French frigate Piémontaise captured the East Indiaman Warren Hastings on 11 June 1805, the naval historian William James compared the 18-pounder medium guns on Warren Hastings with the 18-pounder long guns that the British Royal Navy used. The medium 18-pounder was 61NaN1 long, and weighed NaNabbr=onNaNabbr=on; the Royal Navy's long 18-pounder was 91NaN1 and weighed NaNlong cwt.[2]