Thank you Fernando, I knew you would have the answer, and I agree this must have been a metaphoric term long outdated but simply referring to a 'small gun'.
Naturally these swivel guns were relatively small, but effective in the close quarters of decks.
The dilemma remains, was this tiny cannon the one the Mexicans were so intent on retrieving? Why? If the dispute pertained to the larger bronze six pounder with more viable battle potential it would be understandable, but even in case of principle, this little gun does not seem likely.
However, the cannon depicted on the flag does have similarity to the small one noted, with oversize cascabel. It is believed the original flag did not have a star.
According to the story, the small cannon was abandoned and buried when the makeshift wooden wheels failed. It was not as if it was a huge item, only 2 ft. long and 69 pounds.
The only advantage to its credibility is that it was a cannon believed to have been at Gonzalez, and the place it was buried is in the right proximity, and the other larger cannon no longer exists. All that remains there is the apocryphal story of being found in a field and donated to church where it was melted down and cast into a bell.
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