Armorer

  References have been found of regimental armorers, sometimes referred to as artificers or just as gunsmiths from both sides of the conflict.  Within the ranks of the 9th Ky have been found several gunsmiths and blacksmiths listed as their primary occupations on their Company Descriptive Book cards, as well as found in the census data of 1860 or 1870.  With so many weapons in service it stands to reason that these men became the accepted armorers of their Companies and Regiment when something went wrong.  We know little of what kits these men may have had, or if they had any special insignia or perks.   

  Today's 9th Ky has 2 members that act as armorers based on their own skills with repairing or caring for the Civil War weapons common today.  These members, Craig Barry and Todd Watts often can be found tearing an Enfield apart to find the cause of some malfunction or teaching new recruits how to care for their weapon after a battle.  

  Below are some tips Todd had written for a now out-of-print periodical as well as 2 manuals to care for the Enfield.  Feel free to look through anything here to learn more tricks and care techniques. 

  Also included is the current US National Park Service 19th Century-drill musket manual which the 9th KY follows to allow it to participate freely at the National Park & Battlefield sites we frequent.

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