Rustmästare is a former Swedish rank that literally means the one responsible for the armory.

Rustmästare
CountrySweden
Next higher rankSergeant
Next lower rankÖverfurir

History and related ranks edit

Origin 1600 edit

Rustmästare was originally a non-commissioned officer rank and the holder of the rank was responsible for the care of the armory, weaponry and ammunition within a company.

1833/37 edit

Holders of the rank were elevated to Furir, which then was the lowest non-commissioned officer rank.

1957 edit

The rank was reintroduced as the highest rank within the Underbefäls category.

1972 edit

The rank of rustmästare was replaced with fanjunkare, and the rank was removed.

Reform 1972 edit

Prior to 1972, military personnel were divided into three categories Underbefäl (non-commissioned officers), Underofficerare (warrant officers) and Officerare (commissioned officers).

The Underbefäl category was split into two categories

korpral - former vicekorpral
furir - former korpral
överfurir - former furir
  • plutonsofficerare to include
sergeant - former överfurir
fanjunkare - former överfurir and rustmästare

The Underofficer category was renamed kompaniofficerare to include:

fänrik - former sergeant and fanjunkare with less than 3 years of service
löjtnant - former sergeant and fanjunkare with 3-7 years of service
kapten - former sergeant, fanjunkare with a minimum of 7 years of service and förvaltare

The Officer category was renamed regementsofficerare to include

löjtnant - Löjtnant with less than 3 years of service and former fänrik
kapten - kapten with less than 11 years of service and former Löjtnant with 3-11 years of service
major - former kapten and löjtnant with a minimum of 11 years of service
överstelöjtnant - överstelöjtnant and former major
higher ranks

Reform 1983 edit

All categories were merged into one professional officer category with the lowest rank set to fänrik. Furir, överfurir, sergeant and fanjunkare were removed as a professional ranks. Holders of the rank fanjunkare were given the rank of löjtnant and the rest to fänrik.

See also edit

[1] [2] [3]

References edit