Armourer

An armorer or armourer (see spelling differences) was in former times a smith who specialized in manufacturing and repairing arms and armour. In modern usage, the world may also designate a member of a modern military or police force who maintains and repairs small arms, and weapons systems, with some duties resembling those of a civilian gunsmith.

With the renewed interest in traditional armour and weaponry in modern times, the profession also involves suppliers for historical and reenactment societies, period costumes, and reproduction armor, swords, and related equipment used in film, stage, and recreational activities.

United States Military

The title "armorer" was formerly part of several Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) designations across the services. Even where the title has disappeared, those with duties similar to those of earlier armorers are often referred to as such. See www.higgins.org for further information on armorers and their craft.

Obsolete "Armorer" MOS classifications

• Army of the United States (United States Army in WWII to the end of the war in Vietnam)
  • 511 Armorer
• United States Army Air Forces (WWII-era successor to the United States Army Air Corps, precursor to the United States Air Force).
  • 911 Airplane Armorer
  • 612 Airplane Armorer-Gunner