Field-Ordnance Master

(Russian, general-fel’dtseikh-meister), chief of artillery in Russia, France, and Prussia. In Russia the post was created in 1699 and bestowed upon Tsarevich A. A. Imeretinskii, head of the Pushkar Prikaz (Cannon-making Department). Its powers were regulated by the Military Statute of 1716. In the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th the field-ordnance master was in charge of the artillery personnel and of drill and instruction. Beginning in 1798 the post was usually filled by a member of the imperial family and bore an honorary character. Beginning in 1909 it was left unfilled.