Armourer, formerly an armour-smith or maker of armour; now a skilled gunsmith in charge of the rifles, swords, and bayonets of the British army or navy. Each regiment of cavalry, battalion of infantry, and brigade of artillery has an armourer-sergeant who has been trained to clean and repair rifles and bayonets at the Small Arms Factory, Enfield. Should the introduction of a new weapon render it necessary, armourer-sergeants return to the same place for a further course of instruction. Every rifle in the possession of the regiment is inspected by them at least once a year, and put in order.
In the navy, the armourer is a first-class petty officer, who has, under the gunner, charge of all the rifles, pistols, sword-bayonets, &c., which he keeps clean and in order. He is assisted by seamen called the 'armourer's crew,' and all are skilled in the general routine of smith's work.