HOW TO CLEAN THE RIFLE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 177, 3 June 1864, Page 3

HOW TO CLEAN THE RIFLE.

lo the Editor of the ScuoJce* s Buy Tiin6S. Dear Sir, —The following may be of service if you*'will kindly insert it in your next paper. F. Extract from Instruction of Musketry fox the Army , p. 13. 5. Place the rifle at full cock and draw the ramrod. 6. Put a piece of rag, woollen if possible, or tow, into the jag, and twist it round so as to cover it. 7. Hold the rifle in the left hand, at the full extent of the arm, barrel downwards, with the forefinger and thumb in line with, and round the muzzle, heel of the butt resting on the ground] to the rear. 8. Pour about a quarter of a pint of water into the barrel with care, so as to prevent any of it getting between stock and barrel, or into the lock through the tumbler axle hole ; immediately afterwards put the ramrod into the barrel, and sponge or rub it carefully up and down to remove the dirt or fouling, forcing the water through the nipple to clear the touch-hole. Repeat this process until the barrel is quite clean. 9. Wipe the barrel well out with rag or tow until it is perfectly dry, and afterwards with an oiled rag; then put the muzzle stopper in the barrel, and snap cap on the nipple. Care should he taken to keep the snap cap dry when washing out the barrel, and to wipe the mouth of the hammer before letting it down on the snap cap. 10. On the following morning, and on every occasion before using the rifle, wipe the barrel out perfectly dry. 11. The fouling which settles on the stock near the nipple lump when firing should, if possible, be removed without using water or a damp rag. On no account is a knife or sharp instrument of any description to be used to remove the dirt near the nipple lump or trigger plate. 12. By the foregoing mode of cleaning, the liability of the barrel to become rusty will be very much reduced, and the frequent necessity for removing it from the stock, which is always objectionable, be obviated. 13. In order to prevent water soaking into the stock, and at the some time to give it a smooth and polished appearance, rub it oversell with oil and apply a little bees-wax between "it and the barrel, and between the lock plate and stock, to prevent water getting under the barrel or into the lock.