Occupation: 'Something' of small arms

[M.T.H]

Hi Gardener,

I can see what you mean about the e and i,so it's probably not viewer (which did sound a bit odd,I must admit!)

Not sure if this is relevent or not, but on the 1861 census in question, the Parliamentary Borough looks to be Tower Hamlets (would that be right for Stepney?),maybe this is in some way connected to the 'Tower' in the occupation.

Hmmmm......I'm clutching at straws a bit with this one

Mick

[kmo]

Yeoman of Small Arms?

[SS from The Rhondda]

Keeper of small arms at Tower ?

Jailer of small arms at Tower ?

[NigelG]

Wondering if it could be a mis-spelling of Reever - a type of law officer - aka Sherriff? Also known as a Shriever?

[janan]

Hi,
Looks like viewer spelt veiwer to me. Googled that as an ocupation and came up with two refs from 1891 census for Warwickshire but no info on what such a person might do.  Jan

[Nessie]

Could it be a shortened version of reviewer?

[janan]

http://rmhh.co.uk/occup/ 
gives a viewer as a manager in the mines. Maybe it was used  similarly in other occupations Jan

[Shropshire Lass]

Thanks to you all

What a variety of suggestions!  I'll work on those to see if I can make any connections. 

My husband wondered if it might be some weird historical title, perhaps French-based.  We saw a programme about the Tower of London and they have kept lots of old titles.

Thanks again - particularly for posting the image for me.

Monica

[NigelG]

Hi Monica

It might be worth contacting

The Library, Royal Armouries, HM Tower of London
London
EC3N 4AB
England

Tel: 020 7480 6358 x
Fax: 020 7480 2922 
Email: enquiries@armouries.org.uk 
Website: http://www.armouries.org.uk

Judging by the info described here - they should be able to help! 

http://www.aim25.ac.uk/cgi-bin/search2?coll_id=7244&inst_id=70