Armed merchantman
MERCHANT SHIP EQUIPPED WITH GUNS, USUALLY FOR DEFENSIVE PURPOSES, EITHER BY DESIGN OR AFTER THE FACT
Armed Merchant Cruiser; Armed merchant cruiser; Merchant Cruiser; Auxillary cruiser; Auxilliary cruisers; Auxilliary cruiser; Auxiliary cruisers; Auxiliary cruiser; Armed Merchantmen; Armed merchantmen; Italian cruiser Barletta; German auxiliary cruiser raiders; Merchant cruiser
An armed merchantman is a merchant ship equipped with guns, usually for defensive purposes, either by design or after the fact. In the days of sail, piracy and privateers, many merchantmen would be routinely armed, especially those engaging in long distance and high value trade.