Jim,
As you probably know in the 18th century, Artificers fixed all sorts of things and traveled with military forces to do repairs “in the field” or on campaign. They also were “in garrison” with British troops. They included folks who were blacksmiths, gun workers, leather workers and even some wheelwrights with the artillery, amoung other trades. These men were not normally “Masters,” but men who had some training and some of it may have been in an apprenticeship. Artificers also could have been civilians hired for a campaign, especially in North America.
It is important to realize that when Artificer’s Kits were issued, it was not just for the repair of small Arms, but for a wide range of repair. In the 18th century, most of the British Army was garrisoned in Ireland, with the exceptions of those serving in India, some other spots and of course when armies were sent to North America for the F&I War and Revolutionary War. I have seen a photo of an original drawing of a British Artificers’ Wagon from the mid 18th century in Ireland someone kindly posted on another forum. It is large enough to carry tools and equipment for maybe three or four men to work inside and had a canvas/cloth top. There was also a table in front of the wagon. I have not been able to find out if those wagons were only used in Garrison in Ireland, as wagons were normally hired on this continent when the British were on campaign.
Small Arms of British Forces in America, 1664-1815, by De Witt Bailey has lists of various kits and gunmakers tools issued to British Forces during our period including “Armourers Tools to Accompany Oglethorpe’s Regiment to Georgia , 4 Nov 1737” and “An Account of Armourer’s Tools & Materials, for repairing small arms for the Army, Albany, Oct 1757,” and “Armourer’s Tools for the Army and Navy, being sent to America, Oct. 1778.” These are listed in Appendix IV on pages 304 through 307. I think you would really enjoy going over those lists as each one has similar things and some different things.
I decided to set up my reproduction tool kit as an Artificer’s kit because most of the work I have done on originals and reproductions have been on military arms or military leather goods. I’m getting a little long of tooth and have some medical problems that is making it difficult to put on a Philabeg and other Highland Gear as a Private Soldier in the 42nd RHR, as much as I love to do it. As I have been repairing muskets for many years on the side in my shop or out of my truck or hidden in a tent where my modern tools can not bee seen at reenactments, I figure this way I can still go to reenactments and portray something I like to do and is a valuable contribution.
I have been most fortunate living in Virginia and not too far away from Colonial Williamsburg for much of my adult life. That is another source for you to check. Since my first trip in the early 70’s, I have haunted the Gun Shop to ask questions. More recently, I have taken advantage of going on their web site and asking questions through email. (They have always very quickly answered and have been most generous with their answers and time.) On the last trip I was there about four years ago, they had a reproduction of a Journeyman’s tool box and it was smaller than I would have thought, even considering it may/would have held a VERY basic set of tools. They showed me some lists of Artificer’s tool kits as well. Every time I go in there, I run out of time before I run out of questions OR I think of something I should have asked afterwards.
I further highly appreciate this forum because there are even more people who are so gracious and willing to help.
Gus
