Origin 1600

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 highest rank within the Underbefäls 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.