Gunner, in the British army, is a private soldier of the Royal Artillery. His pay is 1s. 2½d. per diem, except in the Horse Artillery, where it is 1s. 4d.; his uniform is blue with red facings, red stripes on the trousers, and yellow worsted lace. His arms consist of a carbine and sword-bayonet in the garrison artillery, and a cavalry sword in the horse. In the field artillery gunners carry no arms, but two carbines are strapped on to each limber. Master-gunners are warrant officers of artillery, generally placed in charge of one or more forts; the first class receive 6s., the second, 5s. 8d., and the third, 4s. 6d. a day. The office has much degenerated in importance since it was first created, at least as early as the time of Henry VIII.
In the navy the gunner is an officer from the ranks qualified in gunnery, appointed by warrant from the Admiralty. Rank next after chief-gunner, below second-lieutenant in the army, but above master-gunner. Pay, from 5s. 6d. to 8s. 3d., with allowances in special cases. Pension, at age of fifty-five or when unfit, not exceeding £120 a year. Must pass examinations on board gunnery ships at Portsmouth or Plymouth. Uniform similar to undress of sub-lieutenants, but without distinguishing marks, and with black-hilted sword. Duties: takes charge of all the ordnance stores on board ship, and is responsible under superintendence for their expenditure and account; has a general oversight of everything relating to the weapons employed and their proper use, either under a gunnery officer or where there is none. Is entitled to a cabin. Gunners are now sometimes appointed in place of sub-lieutenants for quarter-deck duties and to command torpedo-boats, &c. Chief-gunner is a commissioned officer promoted by selection from the gunners. Rank next after sub-lieutenants in the navy and with second-lieutenants in the army. Pay, 9s. per day, and pension at fifty-five or when unfit, not exceeding £150 a year. Uniform the same as gunner, but with a single gold stripe and loop on each cuff, the same as sub-lieutenant. Duties the same as those of gunner. Both chief-gunner and gunner are eligible for promotion to the rank of lieutenant in special cases. Gunner's-mate is a first-class petty-officer, selected after examination on board the gunnery ships from men qualified as seamen-gunners. Wages the same as other first-class seamen petty-officers, from 2s. 2d. to 2s. 5d. per day, but with extra pay for gunnery qualifications varying from 2d. to 8d. per day. Uniform the same as other first-class seamen petty-officers, but with devices on right sleeve denoting gunnery qualifications. Duties, assistant to those of gunner. Chief-gunner's-mate is a chief petty-officer promoted from the gunner's-mates. Pay, from 2s. 8d. to 3s. 2d. per day, with extra pay for gunnery qualifications. Uniform, that of other seamen chief petty-officers, but with gunnery devices on right sleeve. Duties the same as gunner's-mates. Seaman-gunner is a seaman qualified in gunnery subjects on board one of the gunnery ships, for which he receives from 2d. to 4d. per day extra pay.
In the United States navy, gunners' wages, like those of boatswains and carpenters, range from 700 when on leave or waiting orders during the first three years' service, to 1800, when at sea after twelve years' service.