Quote:
Originally Posted by 54Bty
During my time (1967-2009), REME Armourers were responsible for Small Arms and Gun Fitters (Armament Artificers) looked after Guns.
Marc
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Yes, Marc, it is interesting. At first the RA had just 'armourers' who because of the simple design of muzzle loading cannon could deal with both small arms and field pieces (the latter along with wheelwrights). It seems to have been the introduction of the Armstrong gun that changed things, whereby in an early example of a PFI the company was given the contract to train gun fitters for first line repair, as well as receive guns in their factory for second line repair. It created a monopoly that at the time caused quite a scandal. From that shaky start the concept of the artificer gun fitter grew and, like the armourers, for a short period they had a corps of their own.