Chapter I: The Care and Cleaning of Arms3

Section =1=.--General Remarks.

=1. Responsibility for Care of Arms.=--Officers commanding companies are responsible for the condition of the arms in their charge, and for instructing their men in the use of the gauze, so that no unnecessary wear of the bore may result through its misuse.

=2. Defects.=--Commanding officers will report in the Regimental Annual Return any defects in the machine guns, rifles, or ammunition in their charge which have not been remedied satisfactorily.

=3. Instruction in Care and Cleaning of Arms.=--(i) The soldier’s training in musketry will commence with instruction, the object of which is to give him a thorough knowledge of the different parts of the weapon with which he is armed. Classes consisting of squads or small numbers will be formed for this purpose under a competent instructor. The construction of the rifle, the nature, function, and names of its different component parts, its action in loading, firing, unloading, and the use of the magazine, will be explained to men, both verbally and by practical demonstration. The parts of the rifle should be shown separately, and then assembled before the class to explain its construction. Instructors should ascertain, by asking the class questions on different points, that each man has thoroughly understood what he has been taught, and possesses a practical knowledge of his weapon. The illustrations in Appendix, I., show the various parts of the different service rifles, and give their names.

(ii) When he has attained this knowledge, the soldier will be taught by means of short lectures how to take care of his weapon, reduce the wear and tear to which it is subjected in ordinary use, and guard it from unnecessary wear and tear and damage from various causes. Finally, the soldier must be taught both by demonstration and practice how to clean his weapon properly without causing damage to it in doing so. Information on these points will be found in this chapter.

Section =2=.--Wear and Fouling.

=1. Wear.=--(i) Wear in the bore of a rifle is due to three causes: (_a_) the friction of the bullet; (_b_) the heat generated when ammunition is fired; and (_c_) the friction of the pull-through gauze when the bore is being cleaned. When care is used in cleaning, 5,000 to 6,000 rounds can be fired from a rifle before it becomes unserviceable.

(ii) =Undue Wear.=--Undue wear is caused by improper and unnecessary use of the pull-through gauze, to prevent which it is most important that the instructions for cleaning be adhered to. It may be necessary to modify these instructions to suit local climatic conditions, or particular rifles which are in a bad state of preservation.

(iii) When a rifle barrel is new, the interior of the bore carries a high polish, and this is a great safeguard against rust and metallic fouling, but as the bore becomes worn, this polish will diminish. Efforts to restore it with wire gauze on the pull-through result in unnecessary wear. In a well-cared-for rifle, while the brilliancy of the polish will diminish, the lands of the bore should always be bright and free from all stain of rust or fouling.

=2. Fouling.=--(i) Fouling is of two kinds: (_a_) _Internal_, probably caused by the forcing of gas or harmful material into the pores of the metal; (_b_) _Superficial_, caused by the deposit in the bore of the solid products of combustion of the charge and of the cap composition. The result of neglect in either case is the formation of _rust_ in the bore, and, as a consequence, _corroded barrels_, calling for the excessive use of wire gauze, or even more drastic treatment, thereby causing unnecessary wear.

(ii) =Internal Fouling.=--Internal fouling can be removed satisfactorily by the use of boiling water [Sec. 4, para. 6 (ii)]. If for any reason this method of cleaning cannot be used, the barrel will “sweat,” and a hard black crust of fouling will appear in the bore. This will turn to red rust if not removed, and the rifle will then require repeated cleaning with flannelette, and probably with gauze, for a time, which will vary according to climatic conditions and the state of the bore.

(iii) =Superficial Fouling.=--Superficial fouling is readily removed, when warm, by the use of a pull-through and flannelette, but if it is allowed to remain long in the barrel, it will become hard and will have a corrosive effect equal to that produced by internal fouling.

3. =Nickelling.=--The appearance of nickelling, or _metallic fouling_, should be watched for. It is caused by a portion of the cupro-nickel of the envelope of the bullet being left on the surface of the bore, and appears as a whitish streak on the lands, or as a slight roughness on the edge of the grooves. If it is deposited near the muzzle or the breech, it is visible to the eye when the bore is clean, but in the centre of the bore it can only be detected by the use of the gauge plug. It is a cause of inaccuracy, and if a rifle for no apparent reason shoots badly, its presence should be looked for as a possible explanation. The soldier will make no attempt to remove it himself, but will hand his rifle to the armourer, or other qualified person, to be cleaned.

Section =3=.--Materials used for Cleaning Arms.

=1. Pull-Through= (Fig. 1).--(i) A pull-through fitted with a weight, and an oil-bottle to contain Russian petroleum, are carried in the recess in the butt of the rifle. The pull-through is made with three loops. The first--_i.e._, nearest the weight--is for the gauze when used; the second for the flannelette; the third is provided merely as a means of withdrawing the pull-through in case of a jamb. Neither flannelette nor gauze should be placed in this loop. When signs of wear appear, a new cord should be supplied, to avoid the risk of the pull-through breaking in the rifle. If a breakage does occur, the rifle must be at once taken to the armourer. No attempt should be made by the soldier to remove the obstruction.

(ii) =Packing the Pull-Through.=--The pull-through is packed above the oil-bottle as follows: Hold the pull-through (loop end) between the forefinger and thumb of the left hand, so that the end falls about 2 inches below the third finger; roll it loosely three times round the first three fingers. Slip the coil off the fingers, and lap it tightly with the remainder of the cord, leaving sufficient to allow the weight to drop easily into the recess in the butt. Push the cord into the trap, leaving the loop end uppermost, drop the weight into the recess, and drop the trap.

=2. Use of the Pull-Through.=--(i) Remove the bolt from the rifle, and in order to insure the gradual compression of the gauze, if used, and of the flannelette, drop the weight through the bore _from breech to muzzle_. The pull-through should be drawn through in one motion, otherwise the spot where the flannelette is allowed to rest while a fresh grip of the cord is being taken will not be properly cleaned. Very great care must be taken not to allow the cord to rub against the muzzle, otherwise a groove, technically known as _cord wear_, will be cut, which in course of time will destroy the accuracy of the rifle.

Section

Wire Gauze on Pull-through

Fig. 1.]

(ii) =Flannelette.=--Only regulation flannelette is to be used. When cleaning or drying the bore after washing out with water, a piece of dry flannelette large enough to fit the bore tightly (about 4 inches by 2 inches) should be placed in the second loop of the pull-through. For oiling the bore, a slightly smaller piece of oily flannelette, which will fit the bore loosely, should be used. Care must be taken not to use too much oil, as it will be squeezed out of the flannelette at the entrance to the bore, and will run down into the bolt when the rifle is placed in the rack, and may then cause miss-fires.

(iii) =Caution.=--The use of _two single pull-throughs attached to one another_, so as to make a double one, is strictly forbidden, because this practice has been found to produce “cord-worn” barrels.

=3.= (i) =Wire Gauze= (Fig. 1).--Wire gauze in pieces 2½ inches by 1½ inches is supplied, and should be used for the removal of hard fouling or of rust. In attaching it to the pull-through, the following method should be adopted: Turn the shorter sides of the gauze towards the upper, so that the longer sides take the form of the letter S. Open the first loop of the pull-through, and put one side of it in each loop of the S. Then coil each half of the gauze tightly round that portion of the cord over which it is placed till the two rolls thus formed meet. _The gauze must be oiled thoroughly before use to prevent its scratching the bore._

(ii) =Object of Gauze.=--The object of the gauze is mainly to scour out the grooves, and it should therefore fit the bore tightly. When it fails to do this, it should be unrolled partially, and packed with paper or flannelette to increase its bulk.

(iii) =Use of Gauze.=--Grit must be removed from the gauze and pull-through before use. Cleaning with gauze entails wear of the bore of the rifle. Gauze should not be pulled through the barrel more often than three or four times without sufficient cause. The surest way of preventing the necessity for the continued use of gauze is to keep the bore well oiled so as to prevent rust. A barrel which has become rusty will always be more liable to rust than one which has been kept in good condition. It will therefore require more attention and more frequent cleaning with gauze. Similarly, a barrel in which erosion has commenced will require more care than one of which the surface has not been attacked, for, the eroded portion being rough, moisture is more likely to collect on it and form rust. It is also more difficult to remove rust thoroughly from a rough surface than from a smooth one.

=4. Oil.=--No oil other than Russian petroleum should be allowed to remain in the bore. The function of this oil is to cover the bore with a waterproof film, and thus prevent moisture attacking the steel and forming rust. It must be well worked into the flannelette with the fingers, otherwise it will be scraped off by the breech end of the barrel. When paraffin has been used, all traces of it should be removed thoroughly, and the bore coated with Russian petroleum, for paraffin, though an efficient agent for removing rust, does not prevent its formation.

=5. Caution.=--_No gritty or cutting material, such as emery powder or bath brick, is to be used for cleaning any part of the rifle._

Section =4=.--Instructions for Cleaning Arms.

=1. To Remove the Bolt.=--Raise the knob as far as it will go, draw back the bolt-head to the resisting shoulder, and release it from the retaining spring. Raise the bolt-head as far as possible (in the short rifle, Marks I, I*, II, and II*, draw back the charger guide, then turn the bolt-head to the left), and remove the bolt.

=2. To Replace the Bolt.=--(i) See that the resisting lug and cocking-piece are in a straight line, and the bolt-head screwed home. Place the bolt in the body with the extractor upwards, and press it forward until the head is clear of the resisting shoulder (in the short rifle, Marks I, I*, II, and II*, turn the head to the right, then push the charger guide forward as far as possible). Turn the head downwards until it is caught by the retaining spring. Close the breech, and press the trigger.

(ii) In some rifles, the bolt can be replaced and closed with the bolt-head unscrewed a whole turn. It cannot, however, be closed with the bolt-head in this position if there is a cartridge in the chamber. The greatest care should therefore be taken to see that the bolt-head is screwed fully home before the bolt is placed in the rifle.

=3. Daily Cleaning.=--The outside of the rifle will be cleaned daily, and all parts of the action wiped with an oily rag. The bore of the rifle will always be left oily, but once a week this oil will be removed and the bore relubricated. In the case of rifles that have once become rusty, the bore will be wiped out with flannelette and reoiled daily, and it will, in addition, be cleaned once a week with the gauze on the pull-through. The gauze is to be packed as already stated, so as to fit the bore tightly.

=4. Cleaning before Firing.=--(i) The action will be wiped with an oily rag, and all traces of oil will be removed from the bore and chamber by the use of a pull-through _which has no gauze on it_.

(ii) =Caution.=--Neither the cartridge nor the chamber of the rifle are on any account to be oiled before loading, nor is any other form of lubricant to be used with a view to facilitate the extraction of the empty case. Such a procedure greatly increases the thrust on the bolt-head due to the explosion of the charge, and is liable to injure the rifle.

=5. Cleaning after Firing.=--(i) Arms will be cleaned immediately after firing. The fouling can be removed easily while it is still warm, and before it has had time to set hard; while the less the time allowed for the fouling to exercise its power of absorbing moisture from the air, the less chance is there of rust forming. _If it is impossible to clean the rifle at once, an oily rag should be pulled through the bore, and the rifle should be cleaned at the earliest opportunity._

(ii) =After firing Blank Ammunition.=--After firing blank ammunition, special care should be taken that the cleaning is thorough, as, although there is no friction between bullet and bore, and so no internal fouling or “sweating,” there is greater accumulation of superficial fouling from blank than ball cartridge. This is due to the fact that there is no bullet in blank ammunition to scour the fouling left by the preceding round. The firing also is in most cases more prolonged, and a greater interval most usually elapse before the rifle can be cleaned thoroughly. _When blank firing precedes practice with ball, the rifles will be cleaned carefully before ball practice commences._

=6. Cleaning the Bore.=--(i) The following method of cleaning the bore should be adopted. Thoroughly oil the gauze to prevent it scratching the surface of the metal. Drop the weight of the pull-through through the bore from the _breech_, and pull the gauze through three or four times. Then place a tightly fitting piece of dry flannelette in the second loop of the pull-through, and draw it through till the bore is clean. Finally oil the bore with a loosely fitting piece of flannelette, using enough oil to cover the bore thoroughly. _The rifle will be cleaned in this manner for three days following that on which it was fired._

(ii) =Use of Boiling Water.=--An effective means of cleaning the bore, whether firing has taken place or not, is found in the use of boiling water. Before boiling water is used superficial fouling and grease should be removed. About 5 or 6 pints should be poured through the bore from the breech, using a _funnel to prevent its entering the body or magazine_. The rifle should then be dried thoroughly and the bore oiled. Not only does the boiling water remove the fouling, but the expansion of the metal due to the heat of the water loosens any rust there may be, and facilitates its removal.

=7. Cleaning the Action and Exterior=--(i) =Bolt=.--Thoroughly clean the bolt, paying particular attention to the face of the bolt-head, the striker point, and the extractor. _If the bolt requires cleaning inside it will be taken to the armourer._

(ii) =Magazine.=--See that the recess for the extractor spring is clear of dirt. Take out the magazine and wipe the inside of the body and the entrance to the chamber with an oily rag. Remove all dirt from the slots in the charger guide and from the extractor recess in the front of the body. Take out the magazine platform if required, and clean the inside of the magazine with a dry rag.

(iii) =Exterior.=--Wipe the exterior of the rifle with an oily rag, seeing that the =U= of the backsight, the hole in the aperture-sight, the gas escape holes, and, in the short rifle, the rack on the side of the leaf, are free from dirt. Remove any fouling which has collected on the bayonet boss on the nose-cap. _If allowed to accumulate, this may cause difficulty in fixing the bayonet._

(iv) =Caution.=--The instructions regarding the use of an oily rag for cleaning the bolts and bodies will not apply _in dusty countries, where all parts of the action will be kept dry and clean_.

=8. Cleaning ·22-inch Rifles and Aiming-Tubes.=--(i) As a foul rifle shoots very inaccurately it is of the utmost importance, from considerations of safety, that the barrel should be wiped out frequently during use.

(ii) =Rod and Brush.=--The rod and brush should be inserted from the _breech end_. Under no circumstances should they be inserted from the muzzle, as the friction of the rod is liable to enlarge the bore and make the muzzle bell-mouthed, thus causing inaccuracy.

Section =5=.--Instructions for Care of Arms and Ammunition.

=1. Care of Arms.=--(i) When the rifle is _not in use_, the leaf and slide of the backsight should be lowered to avoid the risk of damage from a blow or fall. _No non-commissioned officer or soldier is permitted to take to pieces any portion of the action, except as prescribed for cleaning, nor is he allowed to loosen or tighten any of the screws, unless authorized to do so by his company commander._

(ii) =Mainspring.=--The mainspring should never be allowed to remain compressed, except when the rifle is loaded, as the spring will thereby be weakened. The position of the cocking-piece shows whether the mainspring is compressed or not.

(iii) =Pull-off.=--The pull-off is the amount of pressure which is required to release the nose of the sear from the full bent of the cocking-piece; it should not be heavier than 6 nor lighter than 5 pounds in the short rifle, and not heavier than 7 nor lighter than 5 pounds in other rifles. Defects in the pull-off should be remedied by the armourer only.

(iv) =Magazine.=--The magazine must not be removed from the rifle except for cleaning purposes, and, to avoid weakening the spring, cartridges should only be kept in it when necessary. A failure of the spring to raise the platform can usually be overcome by tapping the bottom of the magazine smartly with the palm of the hand. If the failure recurs, the rifle should be taken to the armourer for examination and repair.

(v) =Bolt.=--The bolts of rifles are not to be exchanged. Each bolt is carefully fitted to its own rifle, so that the parts which take the shock of the explosion have an even bearing, and the use of a wrong bolt will affect the accuracy of the rifle. _The number stamped on the back of the bolt lever should agree with that stamped on the right front of the body._

(vi) =Browning.=--Care should be taken to prevent the browning being rubbed off the rifle.

(vii) =Cover In Dusty Countries.=--In dusty countries it may be found necessary to cover the muzzle and bolt with a cover of khaki or other suitable material, to prevent the dust gaining access to the interior of the rifle, but anything in the nature of a plug in the muzzle is expressly prohibited.

(viii) =Removal of Oil.=--The oil will only be removed from the bore of the rifle--

(_a_) Immediately before firing.

(_b_) For inspection, which, except after firing, should not as a rule be more often than once a week.

(_c_) For parades and duties as may be ordered by the commanding officer.

In all cases it will be replaced as soon as possible.

=2. Bayonets.=--After firing with bayonets fixed, the bayonet should be carefully wiped before it is returned to the scabbard. All oil should be removed from the blade before placing a bayonet in the scabbard.

=3. Care of Ammunition.=--(i) Ammunition should be kept perfectly dry and clean, and should not be exposed to extremes of temperature.

(ii) =Miss-Fires.=--A miss-fire arises from--

(_a_) A defective cartridge.
(_b_) A defective rifle.

In case (_a_) the cartridge will be tried in another rifle, and, if it still fails to fire, a report will be made in accordance with the instructions contained in the King’s Regulations. In case (_b_) the rifle will be taken to the armourer for examination.

Section =6=.--Examination of Small Arms.

=1. Instruction of Officers.=--It is necessary for all company officers and sergeants to possess a competent technical knowledge of the inspection, care, and preservation of small arms. Commanding officers will therefore arrange that they shall be instructed annually by the regimental armourer in repairing faults most likely to occur in the field with such tools as would be available, and in the examination of the various components as directed in the following paragraphs:

=2. Examination of M.L.M. Rifles.=--(i) The interior of the barrel for rusts and cuts.

(ii) (_a_) The backsight leaf for firmness of joint; that it is not bent; that the slide moves smoothly and fits firmly on the leaf; that the =V= is not deformed; and that the lines on the slide are clearly marked.

(_b_) The foresight; that the barleycorn is not deformed.

(iii) The aperture and dial sights; that they are not bent, and work smoothly.

(iv) The bolt cover; for security on the bolt and clearance of the body.

(v) The cocking-piece; for firmness on the striker, that the bents are in good condition, and that the sear nose bears properly.

(vi) The sear; for height of the nose, which should just clear the bottom of the resisting lug on the bolt.

(vii) The butt; that the stock-bolt is properly screwed up.

_Note_.--In arms marked “2” on the right of the butt, and at the socket of the fore-end, the latter must be removed before attempting to turn the stock-bolt. In screwing it home the precautions prescribed in sub-para. xvii will be carefully observed.

(viii) The cocking-piece and striker; that they fly forward freely on pressing the trigger.

(ix) The striker-point; that it is the correct shape and projects sufficiently through the face of the bolt-head.

(x) The magazine; that it is not dented, and that the platform works freely.

=3. Examination of M.L.E. Rifles.=--The same as for rifles M.L.M., with the following addition:

(xi) Safety-catch; that the bolt of the safety-catch engages in the slots in the extension at the end of the bolt.

=M.L.E. Charger-Loading Rifles.=--The same as (i), (iii), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), (x), and (xi), with the following additions:

(xii) (_a_) The backsight leaf, for firmness of the joint; that it is not bent; that the slide moves freely; that the clamping screw engages properly; that the windgauge fits firmly; and that the =U= is not deformed.

(_b_) The foresight; that the blade is not deformed.

=4. Examination of Short, M.L.E., Marks I and I* and Converted Marks II and II* Rifles.=--The same as (i), (iii), (v), (vi), (viii), (ix), and (x), M.L.M. Rifles, with the following additions:

(xiii) (_a_) The backsight leaf, for firmness of the joint; that it is not bent; that the fine adjustment and windgauge fit firmly; that the slides move smoothly; that the catches engage in the racks on both sides of the leaf; and that the =V= is not deformed.

(_b_) The foresight; that the barleycorn is not deformed.

(xiv) The bolt; that the striker is not too free on the cocking-piece, and that it is not screwed too far into the latter; also that the striker keeper nut-screw (or the striker keeper-screw if fitted) is not broken, and that the nut is in its proper position.

(xv) The bolt-head; that the charger guide is not too loose on the bolt-head; that it works smoothly; and that the top screw is intact.

(xvi) The safety-catch and locking-bolt; that the safety-catch engages in the camway of the bolt and locks it; that it does not move too easily; and that the cocking-piece is withdrawn slightly to the rear when the locking-bolt is applied, whether it is at “full cock” or the “fired” position.

(xvii) The butt; that it is not loose. If the stock-bolt requires screwing up to tighten the butt, the fore-end must first be removed. On reassembling, great care will be taken that the square end of the stock-bolt which protrudes through the socket of the body is in the correct vertical position, so that it may enter the keeper-plate properly when the fore-end is replaced. On replacing the fore-end, see that the fore-end stud and spring, where fitted, are in proper position; the front guard and inner band-screws must be tightened carefully.

=5. Examination of Short, M.L.E., Mark III, and Converted Mark IV Rifles.=--The same as (i), (iii), (vi), (viii), (ix), (x), (xiv), (xvi), and (xvii), with the following additions:

(xviii) (_a_) The backsight leaf, for firmness of the joint; that it is not bent; that the windgauge fits firmly; that the slide moves smoothly, that the thumb-piece and fine adjustment worm work freely and engage in the rack on the side of the leaf; and that the =U= is not deformed.

(_b_) The foresight; that the blade is not deformed.

=6. Drill Purpose Rifles.=--These instructions apply also to _Drill Purpose rifles._ As these are used for the instruction of recruits in aiming, particular attention should be paid to the state of the sights.

Section =7=.--Inspection of Arms on Parade.

=1. For Inspection=--=Port Arms=.--Cant the rifle, muzzle leading, with the right hand smartly across the body, guard to the left and downwards, the barrel crossing opposite the point of the left shoulder, and meet it at the same time with the left hand close behind the backsight, thumb and fingers round the rifle, the left wrist to be opposite the left breast, both elbows close to the body.

Turn the safety-catch completely over to the front with the thumb or forefinger of the right hand (with Lee-Enfield or Lee-Metford rifle, lower the safety-catch with the thumb of the right hand). Pull out the cut-off if closed, first pressing it downwards with the thumb, then seize the knob with the forefinger and thumb of the right hand, turn it sharply upwards, and draw back the bolt to its full extent, then grasp the butt with the right hand immediately behind the bolt, thumb pointing to the muzzle.

_Note._--A squad, before being inspected, will receive the command _Rear Rank, One Pace Step Back--March_.

=2. To Ease Springs and come to the Order=--=Ease Springs=.--From the position described above, work the bolt rapidly backwards and forwards until all cartridges are removed from the magazine and chamber,[4] allowing them to fall to the ground, then close the breech (with Lee-Enfield or Lee-Metford rifle, the cut-off should first be closed), press the trigger, close the cut-off by placing the right hand over the bolt, and, pressing the cut-off inwards, turn the safety-catch over to the rear, and return the hand to the small.

_Or, if the Magazine is Charged_--

=Lock-Bolt.=--Close the breech (with Lee-Enfield or Lee-Metford rifle, the cut-off should first be closed), then turn the safety-catch over to the rear (with Lee-Enfield or Lee-Metford rifle raise the safety-catch), and return the hand to the small.

=Order Arms--One.=--Holding the rifle firmly in the left hand, seize it with the right hand at the band (with Lee-Enfield or Lee-Metford rifle, at the lower band).

=Two.=--As in the second motion of the _order_ from the _slope_.

=Three.=--As in the third motion of the _order_ from the _slope_.

=3. Instructions for Inspecting Arms.=--(i) When arms are inspected at the _port_ only, as in inspecting a platoon on parade, the officer or non-commissioned officer will see that the exterior of the rifle is clean and free from rust; that the magazine and action are clean and in good order; that the sights are at zero; and that no parts are loose or damaged. He will here and there examine the bore of a rifle to see that it has been cleaned and oiled, and is free from obstructions.

(ii) Each soldier, when the officer has passed the file next to him, will, without further word of command, _Ease Springs_, _Order Arms_, and _Stand at Ease_. When the inspection is completed, the squad will be closed on the squad commander’s command _Close Ranks--March_, when the rear rank will take one pace forward.

=4. To Examine Arms=--=Examine--Arms=.--Both ranks, being at the _port_, will come to the position for loading (Sec. 27, para. 1 (1)), with the muzzle so inclined as to enable the officer to look through the barrel, the thumb-nail of the right hand being placed in front of the bolt to reflect light into the barrel.

The soldier, when the officer has passed the next file to him, will act as detailed in para. 3 (ii) above.

_Notes._--(i) If it is necessary to examine arms, the men, when in the position of _for inspection, port arms_, will be cautioned to remain at the _port_. Ranks will be closed, as in para. 3 (ii), when the examination has been completed.

(ii) In ordering arms from the examine, the first motion is to seize the rifle with the right hand between the backsight and the band, at the same time bringing the left foot back to the right. With the second motion the rifle will be brought to the order, the left hand being cut away to the side.