CULVERIN, an early form of light gun, constructed of leather or bronze (from Fr. couleuvre, a serpent) . Culverins were classified into the grand culverin, weight about 4ocwt., bore about 54in., and throwing a shot of about 18 lb. ; bastard culverin, weight 3ocwt., bore 5in., weight of shot so lb.; and medium cul verin, weight 1 scwt., bore 4in., weight of shot 21b. The name disappeared about 1732.