Rustmästare is a former Swedish rank that literally means the one responsible for the armory.
History and related ranks
Origin Rustmästare was used, among other things, as a designation for officer rank in the artillery during the 16th century and as a non-commissioned officer title in the infantry from around 1615 to 1835.
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 Holders of the rank were elevated to furir, which then was the lowest non-commissioned officer rank.
1957 The rank was reintroduced as the rank within the Underbefäl category.
1972 The rank of rustmästare was replaced with fanjunkare, and the rank was removed.
Reform 1972 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 gruppbefäl, for national servicemen, to include: 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 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 Military ranks of the Swedish Armed Forces
The Swedish Armed Forces official website - military ranks (accessed on July 13, 2007) (in Swedish) http://www.goarmy.com/about/ranks_and_insignia.jsp USA enlisted ranks
References