Small Arms Instructors Manual an Intensive Course ... · INTRODUCTION This v olume on Small Arms...

EDITORS’

NOTE

This book is not expected to take the place Of the

War Department Documents and regular courses, whichare SO perfectly and fully laid out in various volumes,ex cept in the present emergency . But there is no abbre

v iated and yet complete basic course in one v olume suchas is made necessary and desirable to meet present conditions efficiently .

Under supervision Of Officers Of the Regular A rmywe have therefore gathered the gov ernment data to

gether in concise form, also taking into account Ententedocuments based on experience in the present war , placing in one handy pamphlet the essentials of presen trequirements in the use Of Smal l Arms

,as an intensive

course to sav e time and obtain uni formity in the elementary work .

SM ALL ARM S IN STRUCTION CORPSREGINALD H . SAYRE,

Captain,Reserve

,

STOWE PHELPS,Ex -Captain

,Squadron A

,N .G.N .Y .

GERARD P . HERRICK ,

Ex -Ord . Sergeant , Squadron A,

Ex ecutive Committee.

October Ist, 1917 .

30 West 44th Street, N . Y . City .

3 695 38

LETTER

(Ex tract from a Letter to the Editors. )

From the standpoint o f a former guardsman , graduate Of Plattsburg, and Capta in in the National Army ,I feel confident that the bOOk will be a great time saverand help to the Officers in the basic training Of the NewA rmy in the use of sma ll arms.

In v iew of this fact , I shall strongly recommend itto the serious consideration Of my fellow Ofii

,cers and

am only too glad to hav e been of some assistance .

ALFRED ROELKER,Capta in Cavalry, N . A .

Camp Upton ,

Long Island , N . Y .

Oct. 4th , 19 17.

INTRODUCTION

This v olume on Small Arms has aimed at a standardized

,basic and intensiv e course Of instruction which it is

believed will produce in the briefest possible time thatquality of proficiency demanded by the present crisis.

Several O f the most experienced shots and coaches inthe United S tates, working in conjunction with someOf the Regular A rmy Instructors at the first Officers

’

Tra ining Camp at Plattsburg, N . Y . , hav e compiledfrom twenty or more works on Small A rms and Mus

ketry, the parts v itally applicable to the present Situation .

The U. S . A rmy Manua l Of Sma ll A rms Firing hassupplied the framework Of the book to which hav e beenadded many helpful Suggestions from modern foreignworks, notes from the Schools Of Musketry , OrdnancePamphlets, et cetera . Thismatter has been selected , condensed , simplified and formulated for purposes of in

tensiv e instruction . Adv antage has been taken of theexperience gained at the Ofiicers

’

Training Camps and theti

l

t‘

md

saving qualities of standardization hav e been app 1e

It is hoped that the effort and time spent by competent riflemen and A rmy Instructors in compiling thisbook will prove of assistance to the Officers of the NewA rmy , and will help them to proceed to put their knowledge ih form for the most efficient instruction in the

ix

INTRODUCTION

present emergency ,without the loss Of time which would

otherwise be necessary.

In following this work, the instructor can feel confidentthat he is conforming absolutely to the latest approv edmethods used and taught in the U . S . A rmy.

C. C. GRIFFITH ,

Captain , C. A . C. , U. S . A .

Plattsburg,Y .

Sept .

C O N T E N T S

AND

SCHEME OF INSTRUCTION FOR

INTENSIVE COURSE

General NoteSpecial PrecautionsHints to Instructors

CHAPTER I

(Prepares for Offi cial Test I. See Chapter IX)

NOMENCLATURE OF THE RIFLE, MODEL 1903SECTION1 . PartsBarrelReceiver

Bolt M echanismMagazine .

T er

S'

ts

AmmunitionGwfl

a

fl

fiufl

CHAPTER II

(Prepares for Official Test II)

OPERATION OF THE RIFLE, MODEL 1903

SECTION10. Bolt Mechanism11. M azine M echanism12. To ad the Magazine13. To Unload

xii CONTENTS

SECTION14. Cut-OE16. Jams16. To RemoveBOlt .

17 . To Dismount Bolt M echanism18. To Assemble Bolt Mechanism .

19. To Dismount Magazine Mechanism20. To Assemble Magazine M echanism21. Use of Rifle Sling

g'

111 Firing

CHAPTER III

(Prepares for Official Test I)NOMENCLATURE OF THE RIFLE, MODEL 1917

SECTION FIG.

3aBarrelReceiver

Bolt M echanismMagazineTrigger

SightsStock

CHAPTER IV

(Prepares for Official Test II)OPERATION OF THE RIFLE, MODEL 1917

SECTION FIG.

31 . Bolt Mechanism32. M agazine M echanism33. To Load M agazine34. To Unload35. Jams36. To Removeth e Bolt37 . To Replace the Bolt .

38 . To Dismount Bolt M echanism39. To Assemble Bolt M echanism .

40. To M agazine M echanism41 . To

42. Th

CONTENTS xiii

CHAPTER V

(Prepares for Official Test III)

CARE OF THE RIFLE (AND PISTOL)

SECTION43. Importance of Cleaning .

44. To Clean Action and Exterior45 . Object of Cleaning th e Bore46. To Clean Borewith Thong47 . To Clean Borewith Rod48 . To Clean th e Pistol49.

CHAPTER VI

(Prepares for Ofiicial Tests VII and VIII)

SIGHTING EXERCISES

SECTION50. Trajecto51 . Line of S t52. Point ofAim53. Normal Sigh t54. Battle Sigh t55 . Important Points56 . Sigh tingApparatus

SightingBarTarget MachineAimingRod Device (Hollifield)Belgian AimingDevice

57 . First8.5»; t Exercise (Sigh tingBar, Normal

58 . Second and Third SightingExercises (Combined) Rifl e, Fixed Rest, Triangle ofSighting .

59. Fourth Sigh ting Exercise— Canting60. Allowance Exercise, for Elevation and Wind

by Aiming

CONTENTS

CHAPTER VII

(Prepares for Official Tests V , VI, and IX)POSITION AND AIM ING DRILLS

SECTION61 . To Load

62. Exercise—LoadingMagazine fromBelt63. To Unload

Position Exercise— Standing65 . Muscle Exercises No. 1 and No. 266. Aiming Exercise .

67 . Trigger Squeeze Exercise68. Rapid Fire Exercise69. Position and Aiming Drill, Kneeling .

70. Position and Aiming Drill, SittingDown71. Position and Aiming Drill , Prone72. Position and Aiming Drill fromCover

CHAPTER VIII

(Prepares for Official Test IV)DEFLECTION AND ELEVATION CORRECTION DRILLS

SECTION FIG. PAt

S

II

é:

74. Windage (Model isca.) 53

75. Rule for Elevation 14, 15 , 16, 17 53-76. Rule forWindage (Model 1903) 14, 15 , 16 , 17 55

77 . Blacking Sigh ts 58

78. AdjustingSights 58

79. Exercise (Efl ect ofWind) 58

CHAPTER IX

OFFICIAL TESTS AND KNOWN DISTANCE FIRING OF

C. SPECIAL COURSE”

SECTION FIG. 1: PAGE80. Test I— Nomenclature 61

81 . Test II— Assembling and Dissembling of

82. Test III— Care of Rifl e

83. Test IV— Sigh t Setting84. Test V— Firing Positions85. Test VI— Loading fromBelt

CONTENTS

SECTION86. Test VII— Sighting87. Test VIII— Aiming Combined with Trigger

Squeeze

88. Test IX— Rapid Loading, Aiming and Firing89. Test X— Flinching90. Known Distance Practice

ance

Short Range Practice Conditions92. Instruction Practice . 14 , 19 19a

93. Record Practice94. M idRange Practice95. Practicewith Telescopic Sigh ts96. Combat Practice97 . Targets 14, 19 19a

CHAPTER XGALLERY PRACTICE

SECTION

100. SlowFire Course (prescribed for organized

Qualifications, SlowFireAiming BullRal

I

gi

fe Course (adapted fromC. S .

M ethod forRapid FireQualifications, Rapid Fire

PART II

AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CALIBER 45

CHAPTER I

NOMENCLATURE AND CARE OF THE PISTOLSECTION FIG.

102. Parts 21

(4) Slide(5) Grip Safety(6) Safety Lock

XV

CONTENTS

CHAPTER II

OPERATION OF THE PISTOL

SECTION105.

106.

107 .

108.

M ethod of OperationTo Dismount and Assemble PistolSafety Dev icesImportant Points

CHAPTER III

NEW MANUAL OF THE PISTOL

SECTION109.

110.

111 .

112.

113.

114.

115 .

116.

117 .

118.

119.

120.

121.

122.

123.

124.

Wh en the Lanyard Is UsedPistol Being In Holster, to Raise PistolLower PistolToWith drawMagazine

To Open ChamberTo Close ChamberTo Insert M agazine

To Return Pistol, Being at RaiseToLoad .

To UnloadTo Inspect PistolPrecautionThe Pistol Is Habitually Carried .

When Action Seems ImminentRecruits Are First TaughtPistol Assumed Loaded

CHAPTER IV

MUSCLE EXERCISES

SECTION125.

126.

127 .

In Order to ShootWellFirst ExerciseSecond Exercise

128. Third Exercise

CONTENTS xv ii

CHAPTER V

POSITION INSTRUCTION

SECTIONPosition Dismounted

The Trigger-Squeeze

Sighting-restHow

tmgto Cock the Pistol

Position and Aiming Drills, DismountedTrigger-squeeze Exercise

ck Fire Exerciseom and Fire Quickly— Snap-ShootingTo Fire to Right and Left Front

CHAPTER VI

RANGE PRACTICE

SECTION136. SlowFire137 . Quick Fire138. Automatic Fire139. Trench Fire140. Score

141. Dismounted CoursePART III

USE OF THE RIFLE

SECTION142. General Military Vocabulary .

143. Terraine VocabularyCover— Eminences, Land, Profile, Railroads,Roads, Skyline, Verdure.

144. FiringVocabularyDefinitions .

145. Classes of Fire byRate146. Classes of Fire by Direction147 . Classes of Fire by Result

xv iii CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

LOADING AND FIRING COMMANDS

SECTION146 . To Load149. To Unload150. To Set the Sigh t151 . Firing Commands

(1 ) To Fire by Volley(2) To Fire at Will(3) To Fire by Clip(4) To Suspend Firing(5) To Cease Firing(6) Complete Fi ing Command, IncludingDesignation of Target .

152. Firing Commands by ArmSignals

CHAPTER II

ESTIMATING DISTANCESECTION153 . By the Eye154. By Front Sigh t M ethod 26 z6a

155 . By Results of Fire156. By Range Cards 27—28157 . By M arking Ranges158. M il System 29—29a

CHAPTER III

DESIGNATION AND RECOGNITION

SECTION159. Feature of the Ground System160. Horizontal Clock-face System161. Vertical Clock-face System162. M il (Sigh t or Finger) System163 . Combined Systems164. Auxiliary Aiming Point165 . Instruction Practice

Study and Description of GroundM arkingDown EnemyDiscernment and Description of Targets

CONTENTS x ix

CHAPTER IV

FIRE DIRECTION AND CONTROL

SECTION166 . Important Elements167 . Duties of Fire Commander168 . Duties of Platoon Guides .

169. Duties of Fire-Unit Commander170. Duties of the Private171. Fire Discipline

CHAPTER V

NIGHT FIRING

172. Instinctive Alignment of Rifl es173. Fixed Rifle Rests

175. Firing at Flashes

CHAPTER VI

TACTICAL USE OF RIFLE FIRE

SECTION176. Immediate Object177 . Superiority of Fire178. OpeningFire

CHAPTER VII

THE USE OF COVER

SECTION179. General Remarks180. Firing fromCover181 . Selecting Cover182. Changing Cover183. Good Cover

184. Poor Cover

xx CONTENTS

APPENDIX

U. S . MAGAZINE RIFLE, MODEL 1893

SECTION185 . Nomenclature186 . Assembled Parts and Their oration187 . Dismounting and Assembling y Soldier188 . Precautions .

U. S . REVOLVER, CALIBER .45

SECTION189. Nomenclature190. Care191.

192. Operation193. To Dismount and Assemble Revolver194. Howto Cock the Revolver195 . Self Cocking Action196. Double Action183

. Manual of the Revolver

199. Exercises200. Position Instruction

SECTION PAGE201 . NEW MODEL CLIP-LOADING DOUBLE

ACTIONREVOLVER CHAMBERED FORAUTOMATIC PISTOL AMMUNITION

202 . U. s. REVOLVER, CALIBER as .

203. RANGE PRECAUTIONS

SMALL ARMS INSTRUCTORS

MANUAL

INTRODUCTORY

SMALL ARMS INTENSIVE COURSE

GENERAL NOTE

The conditions, training and dev elopment to becomea good shot are :F irst of all it is necessary for one to develop themuscles used in firing. A fter Skill in aiming and sight

ing is acquired , the muscle development must go On incombination with practice in aiming. The soldier willsoon acquire proficiency in holding the rifle aimed uponthe mark and squeezing the trigger , without losing theaim. At this stage , much has already been accomplishedtoward ultimate proficiency . Indoor or outdoor rangepractice will then Show how well the ground work hasbeen la id . In the later stages the soldier must learn theinfluence ofwind, light, mirage , etc .

, with the knowledgeand ability to adj ust his sights accordingly . This willinclude estimating the velocity of wind and the effect Ofthe same velocity from the various angles. It is Of theutmost importance that the rifle be kept in perfect cone

dition SO that results can be depended upon .

xxi

xfi i INTRODUCTORY

SPECIALPRECAUTIONS

Do not point a weapon , loaded or unloaded, in anydirection where an accidental discharge might do harm.

When first picking up either a rifle or a pistol, see

that it is not loaded.

With the rifle, pull back the bolt smart ly, see thatthere is no cartridge in the breech (if necessary , insert

ing the little fi nger) . Also see that the magazine is

empty .

W ith the pistol, take out the magazine, drawback theslide and see that th ere is no cartridge in the breechor in themagazine. Insert themagazine .

When the rifle or pistol is carried loaded, the safetylock should be at

“safe.

”

Under no circumstances should the firing pin be letdown by hand on a cartridge.

When loading from the magazine, to obtain positiveejection, and to insure the bolt catch ing the top cartridgein

‘

the magazine, the bolt must be drawn fully to the

rear.

It is essential for the proper working and protectionof

all cams that th ey be kept well cleaned and lubri

cateSee that the cartridges are kept free fromgrit or dust

and do not corrode in the clips.

Never leav e a rag in the barrel.

In case of a misfire, it is unsafe to raise the bolthandle immediately , as it may be a case of hang fire.

In such cases, wai t a fewseconds, when the bolt may beopened with perfect safety.

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xxiv INTRODUCTORY

Forma l commands are seldom required ex cept in collectiv e firing instruction ; the motions of firing beingusually performed independently

, and eventual ly eachman will be required to use his own judgment .

Accuracy should be emphasized at all stages of training before rapidity .

The essential points of the firing positions are to beinsisted upon from the beginning as the foundations Of

fire discipline .

The importance of S ighting, and Position and A imingDrills cannot be too persistently impressed upon the sol

dier . If these ex ercises are carefully practiced , the sol

dier,before firing a shot at a target , will have learned

to aim his piece correctly , to hold his rifle steadily , tosqueeze the trigger properly , to assume the position bestadapted to the part icular conformation of his body, andwill hav e acquired the quickness in manua l dex terity re

quired for handling the piece in rapid fire . This knowledge cannot be So successfully acquired upon the target

ground.

PART I

THE RIFLE

NOTE— Chapters I to VIII inclusiv e prepare for theIntensiv e Course or new“C SPECIAL COURSE ,

” prescribed by the War Department to be used for the National Army, which is designated as

“Changes to be

added to Appendix II,

19 13, and given inChapter IX.

This course will be prescribed for the quick training oftroops in rifle practice, when time or facilities for the regular

courses are not available.“Success cannot be expected , nor can proficiency in rifle

practice be attained by a company in th is course, unless ithas been thorough ly instructed and each man should satisfactorily pass the prescribed tests (giv en in Chapter IX) before he fires a Shot on the range. W ithout this thoroughpreliminary course, and satisfactorily passing these tests, it

is a waste of ammunition to let the soldier fire ball cartridgeson the range.

”

CHAPTER I

(Prepares for Official Test I. S ee Chap . IX)

NOMENCLATURE OF THE RIFLE ,

MODEL 1903

U. S. Rifle, Caliber 30, Model 1903, for 1906 Ammunition(Figs. 1 and

(S ee War Document, No. 1923, for fuller description)

1. PARTS. The Rifle consists of 93 parts, of whichthe chief are :2. BARREL. Muzzle

,Breech

, Chamber , BoreLands, Grooves.

3 . RECEIVER. Magazine Opening and Cut-Off,Clip-slots, Bolt-stop ,

Ej ector .

4. BOLT MECHANISM. Bolt,Handle

,Locking-lugs,

Safety-lug, S leeve , S leeve-lock ,Firing-pin ,

Firing-pinsleeve , Striker , Ma in-spring, Cocking-piece , Ex tractor ,Ex tractor-collar , Safety- lock .

5 . MAGAZINE. Floor-plate , Magazine-spring,Fol

lower .

6. TRIGGER. The lever used to release the Firingpin and fire the rifle .

4 NOMENCLATURE OF RIFLE, MODEL 1903

7 . SIGHTS. The Front Sight.The Bear Sigh t consists principally of A Mov able

Base with a W indage Screw and a H inged Lea f withOpen Battle S ight for use when the Leaf is down .

When v ertical , the Leaf exposes the Dri ft S lide (orElev ation S lide ) with a Peep-hole

,a Field V iew or tri

angle Open-sight j ust above , and another open sightabov e that, all three located in the mov able Drift S lidefor altering Elevation . The Leaf is graduated from100 to yards. The lines j ust below the numbersare 100 yard divisions, the longer of the Short lines are

50 yard , and the shorter, 2 5 yard divisions.

8. STOCK. Butt,Small of Stock

,Balance and Hand

guard ; two S ling Swiv els and a Leather S ling ; a Stacking Swivel near the muzzle ; Butt Plate with recEptacle

for Oi ler arid Thong Case or“Pull-through

”Conta iner .

This Oil is for lubricating working parts only .

9. AMMUNITION. M odel 1906 , Caliber .30,Ba ll

Cartridge , consisting of Case , Primer , Charge of smokeless powder and Bullet . Muzzle v elocity 2700 feet persecond .

CHAPTER II

(Prepares for Official Test 11)

OPERATION OF THE RIFLE , MODEL 1 903

10. BOLT MECHANISM. The bo lt mechan ismmovesbackward and forward and rotates in the well ofthe receiv er. When the rifle is used as a single loader ,the bolt carries a cartridge , placed by the hand in frontOf it

,into the chamber . When used for magazine fire,

the effect Of drawing the bolt all the way to the rearand forcing it forward , is to cock the piece, ej ect a car

tridge, and place another cartridge in the chamber.The piece being loaded and cocked

,is ready to be

fired , i f the Safety-lock is turned to the le ft ShowingReady . To prevent the piece from being fired , turn the

Safety-lock all the way to the right showing the wordSafe. This can be done only when the piece is cocked .

Also,while the Safety-lock is in a v ertical position

,the

rifle cannot be fired .

The bolt mechanism operates as follows : To openthe bolt

,raise the handle as far as possible and pull

directly to the rear until it is stopped .

TO close the bolt,push the handle v igorously stra ight

forward as far as it will go,and turn the handle down ,

being careful not to jam the bolt by lateral o

pressure .

5

6 OPERATION OF THE RIFLE , MODEL 1903

The piece may be cocked either by raising the bolthandle and then immediately turning it down , or bypulling the cocking-piece directly to the rear until itcatches. The bolt-handle must be turned all the waydown before firing. The Opening and closing of thebolt should each be done by one continuous motionand practiced frequently for rapid firing.

11. MAGAZINE MECHANISM . The magazinemechanismincludes the Floor-plate, Follower, Magazinespring, Cut-off.

The magazine will contain as many as 5 cartridges andfeed them

,one by one

,as wanted , to the barrel chamber.

12. TO LOAD THE MAGAZINE. See that the cut

off is up, Showing On,and draw the bolt fully to the

rear. P lace either end of the loaded clip in the clipslot in the receiver

,and with the thumb of the right hand

near the base of the cartridge, press smartly down intothe magazine until the top cartridge is caught by theright edge Of the receiver. The magazine can be filled ,

i f empty or partly filled ,by inserting cartridges one by

one .

Pushing the bolt forward , after loading the magazine

,ej ects the clip and puts one cartridge into the cham

ber , leaving four only in the magazine.

To Put Fiv e Cartridges in the Magazine and One in the

Barrel . Proceed as in paragraph“To Load the Magazine ,

but remove clip by hand ; then push down and hold topcartridge with thumb of the left hand while adv ancingthe bolt about half an inch

, and turn magazine cut-offOff; then with the right hand, insert another cartridge inthe barrel and close bolt.

8 OPERATION OF THE RIFLE , MODEL 1903

16. TO REMOVE THE BOLT. Place the cut-Off at

the center notch ; cock the arm and turn the safety lockto a vertical position, raise the bolt handle and draw outthe bolt .17 . TO DISMOUNT BOLT MECHANISM . TO take

bolt apart proceed as follows :Hold bolt in the left hand , press sleeve lock with the

Fm. 3 .— Disconnectin Striker and Firing Pin,

Mo el 1 903 .

thumb of right hand to un lock sleeve from bolt,and

unscrew sleeve by turn ing to the left ,Hold sleeve m left hand and draw cocking-piece back

OPERATION OF THE RIFLE , MODEL 1903 9

with middle finger and thumb of right hand , turn sa fetylock down to the left with the forefinger of the righthand in order to a llow the cocking iccc to mov e forwardin sleeve , thus partia lly relieving he tension of ma inspring. With the cocking piece against the breast , drawback the firing pin sleev e with the forefinger and thumbof right hand and hold it in th is position (Fig. whileremov ing the striker with the left hand ; remov e firing pinsleeve and mainspring ; pull firing pin out of sleev e .

P ick up bolt,turn the ex tractor to the right , forcing

its tongue out of its groove in the front of the bolt andforce f the ex tractor forward and Off the bolt with thethumb of the right hand .

18. TO ASSEMBLE BOLT MECHANISM . Grasp withthe left hand the rear of the bolt, handle up , and turnthe ex tractor collar with the thumb and forefinger of theright hand until its lug is on a line with the safety lugon the bolt ; take the

‘ex tractor in the right hand and

insert the lug on the collar in the undercuts in the ex

tractor by pushing the ex tractor to the rear until itstongue comes in contact with the rim on the face of thebolt (a slight pressure with the left thumb on the topOf the rear part o f the ex tractor assists in this Operation ) turn the ex tractor to the right until it is ov er theright lug ; take the bolt in the right hand and press thehook of the extractor against the butt plate or somerigid Object , until the tongue on the extractor enters itsgroove in the bolt.W ith the safety lock turned down to the left to permit the firing pin to enter the sleeve as far as possible ,assemble the sleev e and firing pin , place the cocking pieceagainst the breast and put on main spring,

firing-pin

IO OPERATION OF THE RIFLE ,MODEL 1903

sleeve , and striker. H old the cocking piece between thethumb and forefinger Of the left hand , and by pressingthe striker point aga inst some substance not hard enoughto injure it

,force tlfi cocking piece back until the safety

lock can be turned to the vertica l position with the righthand ; insert the firing-pin in the bolt and screw up thesleeve (by turning it to the right ) until the sleeve lockenters its notch on the bolt .See that the cut-Off is at the center notch ; hold the

piece under floor plate in the fingers of the left hand , thethumb ex tending over the left side of the receiv er ; takebolt in right hand with safety lock in a v ertica l positionand sa fety lug up ; press rear end of follower down withleft thumb and push bolt into the receiver ; lower bolthandle ; turn safety lock and cut-Off down to the leftwith right hand .

19. TO DISMOUNT MAGA s MECHANISM.

W ith the bullet end of a cartridge press on the floorplate catch ( through the hole in the floor plate ) , at thesame time drawing the bullet to the rear ; this releasesthe floor plate . If it sticks

,strike it toward the butt

with the flat of the hand .

20. TO ASSEMBLE MAGAZINE MECHANISM. Re

v erse operation of dismounting.

21. THE USE OF THE RIFLE SLING IN FIRING.

The gun slingmay be used to steady the aim in the v a

rious positions but is seldom used in field service . It is

adjusted as follows : Release the outside hook and

fasten it in the holes nearest to the butt swivel . Re

lease the other hook (Of the other strap ) and readjustit near the end so that the loop will be about opposite the

OPERATION OF THE RIFLE ,MODEL 1903 1 :

comb Of the stock . The length must be adjusted to thearm. Holding the rifle in the right hand at the smallOf the stock

,pass the le ft arm through the upper loop

beyond the elbow ; then pass the left hand under thestock , grasping the stock with the left hand in frontOf the trigger guard , the straps passing to the rightof the wrist . Take up slack in the sling by drawingback the left arm and pressing the wrist to the right .

Be careful to exert the same pressure for each shot .Adj ust position to one of ease, firmness and steadiness.

CHAPTER III

(Prepares for Official Test I. S ee Chapter IX)

NOMENCLATURE OF THE RIFLE , MODEL

1 9 1 7

U. S. Rifle, Caliber .30, Model 1917, for 1906 Ammunition(Fig. 3a. )

22. PARTS. The Rifle consists of 86 parts of whichthe chief are :23. BARREL. Muzzle

,Breech , Chamber, Bore

Lands,Grooves. (Lands and grooves, 5 in num

ber, are of equa l width and make one turn in 10

" le fthanded . )24. RECEIVER. Magazine Opening, Clip-slots, Bolt

stop (attached to left rear end of the receiver ) , Ej ector,Sa fetylock ( attached to right and rear end of receiver ) .

25 . BOLT MECHANISM. Bolt , Handle , Lockinglugs, S leeve , Striker , Main-spring,

Cocking-piece withD ismounting-hook ,

Ex tractor , Ex tractor-collar.

26. MAGAZINE. F loor-plate,Magazine-spring,

Fol

lower .

27. TRIGGER. The lever used to release the Strikerand fire the rifle— (Sear , Sear-spring and Safety-studare actuated by trigger ) .

I4 NOMENCLATURE OF RIFLE, MODEL 19 1 7

28. SIGHTS. The Front Sigh t .The Rear Sigh t has no a llowance for drift nor adj ustment for wind but consists of a H inged Leaf with a

S lide,with a Peep” in it . The slide is latched by a

Spring Catch in adjustable positions on the lea f for di fferent ranges. The ranges on the leaf are from 200 to

1600 yard s, with notches for each hundred yard set

ting.

”The“setting

” for the range is read from the

l ines in the beveled Opening near the top of the slide ,which are aligned with lines on the leaf opposite thenumbers designating the hundreds of yards.

The leaf carries a Battle S ight wh ich is a peepformed on the lea f and which is in position when the

leaf is la id down . The fix ed sighted range of th is BattleS ight is 400 yards.

29. STOCK. Butt, Small of Stock , Pistol Grip ,

Bal

ance and Hand Guard ° two S ling Swivels and a LeatherS ling ; a Stacking SW 1v el near the muzzle , Butt Platewith receptacle for O iler and Thong (or PullThrough

”

) container . This Oil is for lubricating working parts only .

30. AMMUNITION. Model 1906, Caliber .30,Ba ll

Cartridge , consisting of Case,Primer , Charge Of smoke

less powder and Bullet . Standard muzzle velocity about2 700 feet per second .

1 6 OPERATION OF THE RIFLE ,MODEL 1917

the way down before firing, for otherwise the sa fetystud on the sear will not enter the interlock slot on

the bolt and the trigger cannot be pulled .

32. MAGAZINE MECHANISM. The magazine willcontain as many as fiv e cartridges and feed them one

by one,as wanted

,to the barrel chamber .

33. TOLOAD THE MAGAZINE. Draw the bolt fullyto the rear. Place either end of the loaded clip in theclip slot of the receiver and with the thumb of the righthand near the base of the cartridge , press smartly downinto the magazine until the top cartridge is caught by theright edge of the receiver . The magazine can be filled ,

i f empty or partly filled , by inserting cartridges one byone . Pushing the bolt forward , after loading the magazine , ej ects the clip , puts one cartridge into the chamberand cocks the piece .

To Put Fiv e Cartridges in the Magazine and One in theBarrel. Proceed as in paragraph

“To Load the Magazine ,

but remove clip by hand,then push down top cartridge

and hold it with thumb of left hand,while advancing

the bolt about ha lf an inch ; then ,with the right hand .

insert another cartridge in the barrel and close the bolt .

34. TOUNLOAD. Put the Safety forward and movethe bolt a lternately backward and forward until all thecartridges are ej ected .

A fter the last cartridge is ej ected , the follower risesand holds the bolt Open to show that the magazine isempty . The chamber is closed by pressing the followerdown

,as the bolt is pushed forward , to free the bolt

,

and by thrusting the bolt home ; and the trigger is pulledto leave the piece uncocked .

OPERATION OF THE RIFLE , MODEL 1917 1 7

35. JAMS. If cartridges jam, take out magazine , asdescribed herea fter, under “To Dismount MagazineM echanism.

”

36. TO REMOVE THE BOLT. (NOTE : See that thechamber and magazine are empty . ) W ith the Safety inthe forward position , raise the bolt handle ; then with theleft

,first finger and thumb ,

hold out the Bolt Stop and

drawthe bolt directly back and out. During this operation the rifle may be supported on the knees or by holding the butt under the . right arm pit.

37. TO REPLACE THE BOLT. Reverse the Operations

,lining up the ex tractor with the solid lug on the

end of bolt .

38. TO DISMOUNT BOLT MECHANISM. The bolthav ing been removed , grip the rear end of the bolt inthe right hand and with the left thumb , pressing onthe ex tractor ring, rotate the bolt in an anti-clockwisedirection until the ex tractor is in line with the gas escapehole . This raises the tongue on the ex tractor out ofthe groov e at the front end of the bolt . The ex tractorcan then be pushed forward and Off by the right thumb .

Hook a loop of string or the“cleaning thong on the

dismounting hook , which is on the cocking piece lug, and ,

holding the bolt in the le ft hand and the string in theright , draw the cocking piece to the rear until the lugclears the end of the\bolt . Then , by a rotary movemento f the right hand counterclockwise , unscrew the sleevefrom the bolt and withdraw the sleeve , cocking pieceand striker from the bolt . Grasp the sleev e with thele ft hand

,and , while holding the point of the striker

against a piece of wood or a similar surface , force the

1 8 OPERATION OF THE RIFLE , MODEL 191 7

sleev e toward the point of striker , compressing the ma inspring until the lug on the cocking piece clears the lugslot in the sleeve . Then give the cocking piece a quarterturn in either direction to disengage it from the striker ,and draw it Off the rear . Relieve the spring from stresss lowly and remove it and the sleev e from the striker .

39. TO ASSEMBLE BOLT MECHANISM . S lide themain spring over the striker . Hold the point of thestriker against a piece of wood or a simi lar surface and ,

placing the sleeve against the end of the spring, withthe flats in the bore registering with the flats in thestriker

,compress the spring by forcing the sleev e toward

the point of the striker . Holding the sleeve with thespring fully compressed

,replace the cocking piece on

the end of the striker , locking it by a quarter turn so

that its lug aligns with the lug-slot in the sleeve . Thenlet the sleeve return to position slowly under the actionOf the spring. H olding the bolt in the left hand , startthe threads on the barrel of the sleeve into the threadsin the end of the bolt . H olding a loop of string in

the right hand as before,hook it on the dismounting

hook and draw the cocking piece outwardly . Then,by

a clockwise rotary movement of the right hand ,screw

the sleeve home on the bolt . Place the lug in the hal fcock notch . S lide the ex tractor to place in line withthe gas escape holes, engaging the undercut lug on theex tractor with the cars on the ring and li fting the hookso that the tongue will slide Over the end of the bolt .

To assist in th is Operation ,press down on the ex tractor

with the right thumb hal f way between the“Ex tractor

Lug”and the“Back Rest .

”Turn the ex tractor so that

it lies over the unslotted or solid lug and replace the

OPERATION OF THE RIFLE, MODEL 191 7 19

bolt in the receiv er. Push the follower down and closeand lock the bolt and pull the trigger .

40. TO DISMOUNT MAGAZINE MECHANISM.

W ith the bullet end of a cartridge , press on the floorplate catch ( through the hole in the floor plate ) at thesame time drawing the bullet to the rear ; this releasesthe floor plate . If it sticks , strike it towards the buttwith the flat of the hand . Pull the ends of the springfrom the undercuts on the follower and floor plate . The

narrower end of the spring will be found on the follower .

41. TO ASSEMBLE MAGAZINE MECHANISM. Re

v erse the operation Of dismounting.

42. THE USE OF THE RIFLE SLING IN FIRING.

See last section in Chapter II.

CHAPTER V

(Prepares for Official Test III)

CARE OF THE RIFLE AND PISTOL

43. IMPORTANCE OF CLEANING. The care of therifle and pistol is Of the utmost importance . Beyond or

dinary caution ,it principally consists of clean ing thor

oughly after firing, as the powder gases are highly corrosive.

They should be cleaned immediately after each day’

s

shooting in the field , (as well as at noon,when shooting

on a range , ) and daily for sev eral days thereafter .

If not possible to clean the rifle immediately , pullthrough an oily rag and clean at first opportunity.

The worst part of the powder fouling cannot be seen,

nor be remov ed by oil.

44. TO CLEAN THE ACTION AND EXTERIOR OF

THE RIFLE. Clean bolt,magazine and ex terior with

any 0i rag,wiping Off surplus.

45 . OBJECT OF CLEANING THE BORE. To re

mov e the fouling to get a chemically clean surface,and

then cover this surface with a film Of Oil to prev entrusting.

46. TO CLEAN THE BORE WITH WEIGHT, THONGAND BRUSH OR GAUZE. FIRST METHOD (Powder

20

CARE OF THE RIFLE AND PISTOL 2 1

Fouling) If possible , plug bore at breech and fill withsoda solution and leave to soak for twenty minutes toremov e powder fouling, then wash out with clean water ,

SECOND METHOD : With well oiled brush or gauze ,drop the weight through from breech and pull throughthree or four times. Wipe dry with cloth patch of a

size to pass snugly but easily through the bore . Then ,

either swab out three or four times with patches soakedin“H oppe NO . 9

”solution

,or pour through from the

breech fiv e or six pints of very hot or soapy water,being careful not to get it into the mechanism.

A fter either method,dry thoroughly until patches

come out“clean ,

” or continue to come out with a bluishgreen sta in . By

“clean” is meant not absolutely freefrom discoloration , but free from ev idence of powder ormetal fouling.

If these dry patches come out clean , run through an

Oily rag, or

If these dry patches do not come out clean,but

continue to come out with a bluish green stain , thisshows M etal Fouling from the bullet

,then pull through

an oily rag and take the rifle to the armorer at the firstOpportun ity .

The ammonia or other specia l solutions for removingM etal Fouling should only be used by experienced men .

47 . TO CLEAN THE BORE WITH A ROD INSTEAD

OF THONG. Proceed as above ex cept that the liquidscan be pumped up into the barrel with the rod and a

rag from a can,and the bore scrubbed . A lways insert

the rod from the breech a fter removing the bolt , so as to

av oid wear or inj ury to rifle at the muzzle .

22 CARE OF THE RIFLE AND PISTOL

After firing, clean the rifle daily for sev eral days and

until,after the oil is wiped out

,the first dry patch comes

out clean .

48. TO CLEAN THE PISTOL. The abov e principlesapply also for the Automatic Pistol . A lso clean the

chamber Of the pistol, using the soda solution .

49. IMPORTANT POINTS. Never leav e rag or otherplug in the barrel to avoid blowing up the piece or causing rust by holding moisture between the Oily rag and

the bore .

Keep sigh t lowered when not in use.

Keep piece uncooked ex cept when loaded .

For trouble with trigger pull, take rifle to the armorer .

Cartridges are kept in magazine only when necessary .

Bolts are not to be exchanged except to try and extracta stuck cartridge .

If necessary in muddy or dusty country, cov er muzzleand mechanismwith a cloth or Old sock but nev er put aplug in the muzzle . In dusty country, do not keepmechanism oily

,but dry and clean .

The bayonet must be wiped before returning to scab

bard,after it has been oiled or the rifle has been fired

with the bayonet fix ed .

Keep ammunition dry and clean and out of ex tremetemperatures.

M isfire : (a ) From defectiv e ammunition ; try again

or in another rifle ; (b ) from defectiv e rifle ; take rifle

to armorer.

Examine sights and loading mechanism and fix or

try bayonet before going into action.

24 SIGHTING EXERCISES

is used to counteract the influence Of the wind . In theModel 19 17 , there is no windgauge , but corrections,when necessary, are made by aiming Off .

The bullet describes a vertical curv e which is constantly changing and becoming more pronounced as i tapproaches the end of its fl ight , due to the decrease inthe forward velocity, caused by the resistance of theair, and the increase o f the downward v elocity causedby gravity.

Grav ity is counteracted by elevating the line o f thebarrel above the Line of S ight enough to compensate for the distance through wh ich the bullet will fa l l .Th is is done by raising the slide in the rear sight .

FIG. 5 .— Line of Sight.

51 . LINE OF SIGHT is the line of vision from theeye

,through the middle Of the rear sight notch , at its

top , (or the center of the peep ) , touching the top ofth

;front sight and thence continuing to the mark. (Fig.

5.

52. POINT OF AIM. (Figs. 6 and 6a . ) To giv e thegreatest uni formity , a point j ust below the mark , and not

the mark , is preferable as the Point o f Aim,as a more

definite sight can be taken with the contrast which a

line of light or different color , between the front sightand the mark or bull ’s-eye , gives. A s it is impossible

FIG. 6.—Normal Sight, Showing Point of A im

0

Fro. 63 .—Peep Sight, Showing Poin t of Aim.


to always know, if touching the mark with the top o ffront sight, howmuch of front sight is seen , the termon the mark or bull ’s-eye will be understood to meanan aim, taken : j ust below the mark

,showing a fine l ine

of light between the mark and the top of the front sight .

53. NORMAL SIGHT. The top of the front sightshould be level with the top of the open rear sight and inthe middle of its notch (Fig. 6 ) for Model 1903.

The corresponding position for the peep sight in eitherModel I903 or 19 17 is when the middle of the top of thefront sight is in the center of the peep (Fig. 6a ) .

A lways take the same amount of front sight, as this isessentia l for good shooting,

To raise the line of fire,

Increase the elev ation of the rear sightor

Aim at a higher point on the target .The fi rst method is much the better when possible .

A lways put the top of the front sight , not the bull’

s-eye

or mark,in the center of the peep hole , otherwise the

Normal S ight will not be Obtained and there will be nouniformity in sighting.

54. BATTLE SIGHT.

"

The BATTLE SIGHT on the

Model I903 Rifle is the Open notch on top of the lea fslide when the leaf is down .

In the Model 19 17 , it is a peep sight .This sight is provided so that the soldier will hav e a

reasonable mean elevation for use at close ranges, whenhe has not time , or neglects, to change the sight eleva

SIGHTING EXERCISES 2 7

t ion. It might therefore be regarded as an Instinctiv eS ight.

55 . IMPORTANT POINTS. Nev er cant the piece .

A lways take the same amount of front sigh t, morewill shoot higher , less will shoot lower.

A lways have front sigh t in the middle of rear sigh t ;with front sight to the left , the rifle shoots to the left ;and to the right, it shoots to the right .

56. SIGHTING APPARATUS. ( I . ) Sigh ting Bar

( See Fig. (a ) A bar of wood about I by 2 inchesby 4 feet with a thin slot one inch deep cut across theedge about 20 inches from one end ;(b ) A front sight of tin or cardboard V2 x3 inches

tacked to the end nearer the slot and proj ecting 1 inchabov e bar ;( c ) An eye piece of tin or cardboard 1x3 inches

tacked to the other end of , and proj ecting 1 inch abov e ,the bar

, with a v ery smal l hole inch ) one hal f inchfrom top of part proj ecting from the bar ;

An Open rear sight of tin or cardboard 1V2 x3inches, with a U shaped notch IX; inch wide , cut in themiddle of one of the long edges. This is placed in theslot on the bar. (A slight bend of the part of the tinfitting in the slot will give enough friction to hold thesight in any part of slot in which it is placed )( e ) A peep rear sight of tin or cardboard 3x3 inches,

with a peep hole y, inch in diameter cut in the center .

This replaces the open sight , when the peep sight isused .

Care fully blacken all pieces of tin and cardboard and

the top of the bar. Nail the bar to a box about I foot


high and place on the ground ,table

,or other suitable

place . Then adjust the open (or peep ) rear sight in theslot and direct the bar upon a bull’s-eye (preferably an

or Y target ) placed about 5 yards from the bar . N0

FIG. 7. -Sighting Bar.

other than the sight desired can be seen . Errors, etc. ,

are shown by manipulating the open and peep rearsights.

Target Mach ine consists of a mounting for a

miniature target and j ointed arms on which a servicerifle is mounted , such that moving the rifle to the lineof sight in aiming at an aiming target situated some 20

SIGHTING EXERCISES 29

feet away, mov es a pin in unison with it, which pointsat a miniature target exactly as the line of sight on therifle points at the aiming target. When the trigger is

pulled, the miniature target impales itself upon the pinin the same relative posit ion a s a bullet would have hitthe aiming target .

3 ) Aiming Rod Dev ice (Hollifield) . This is a dev ice often used for practice in aiming and trigger squeezein both slow and rapid fire.

It consists of a mechanical arrangement in the rifleand a miniature target whereby pulling the trigger ofthe rifle marks the point of aimon the target .This apparatus has been officia lly adopted by the

United States A rmy and can be obta ined on requisition ,or can be purchased direct from the Hollifield TargetPractice Company, M iddletown, N . Y .

Belgian Aiming Dev ice, consists of a reflectorcage On the rifle by which the instructor can see the re

flection of both sights and the obj ect a imed at, so as tojudge of the accuracy and steadiness of the soldier’s aim.

The device is placed j ust back of the rear sight .57 . FIRST SIGHTING EXERCISE. Sighting Bar .

Using the S ighting Bar,represent the norma l Open

sight and the normal peep sight and require each manin the squad to look at them.

Using the S ighting Bar, describe and represent theusua l errors of sighting and require each man in thesquad to look at them, such as

(a. Front sight too high or too low(b . Front sight to right or left of middle o f notch

or peep(c. ) Canting


58. SECOND AND THIRD SIGHTING EXERCISES,COMBINED. Triangle of sigh t ing.

A soldier acting as marker is provided with a penciland a small rod

,bearing a disk of white cardboard

about 3 inches in diameter,with a black bull ’s-eye ( a

black paster is best ) placed in the center with a holej ust large enough to admit the point of a lead penci l .The soldier sighting, with a fix ed sighting bar or rifleon a fix ed fest, and using the peep sight, directs the

marker to mov e the disk to the right , left, higher , lower ,until the L ine o f A im is established

,when he commands“

M ark.

”A t the command“M ark, being careful not to

move the disk, the marker records through the hole inits center the position of the disk and then withdrawsit . Then being care ful not to disturb the sights, repeatthe operation until three marks hav e been made .

Join the three points as determined as abov e,by

stra ight lines, mark with the soldier ’s name , and ca l lhis attention to the triangle thus formed . The shapeand size of this triangle will indicate the nature and

the v ariations made in a iming.

59. FOURTH SIGHTING EXERCISE. Canting.

This ex ercise is a demonstration of the effect of canting the piece . The soldier must be impressed with thenecessity of keeping the sights vertical when a iming,

and not canting the piece to the right or left . Explain tothe soldier that i f the piece is canted to the right, thebullet will strike to the right and belowthe point aimedat

,ev en though the rifle be otherwise correctly aimed and

the sights correctly set . S imilarly, i f the piece is cantedto the left

,the bullet will strike to the left and low . This

can be explained by showing that the elev ation fix es


of canting the piece . Emphasis will be laid upon the factthat this effect of canting increases with the distancefrom the target .60. ALLOWANCE EXERCISE. Aiming Down for

Change of Elev ation.

W ith the enemy at ov er 550 yards,there is time to

a lter elevation of sights.

When raising or‘

lowering sights in firing up to 550yards is inadvisable , in the field , the battle sight is usedand a llowance is made by a iming down as follows(a ) At an approaching upright, or kneeling, enemy,

aim at his feet.(b ) A t a prone enemy , aim a full foot below.

Aiming Ofl for Wind.

A ltering the wind gauge is not the usual means foral lowing for wind in many cases in the field , and cannotbe done with Model 19 17 . Against close formationsneglect W indage . When aiming Off for the wind

,re

member that a man ’

s breadth,when facing you, is about

two feet wide . M ake W indage a llowance in one breadth ,

two breadths,etc .

,of. a man , as in following rough table :

Rough Table for Righ t Angle W inds.

SIGHTING EXERCISES 33

Example : Assuming a range of 800 yards and a mildwind of 10 miles per hour

,the table shows that a bullet

is blown 5 feet off the mark . Therefore, with such a

wind from the left, the soldier should aim to the left 5feet or 2/2

“breadths” of a man at that distance .

Aiming 01! for Enemy Mov ing At Righ t Angles.(a ) Ranges up to 500 yards, aimAbout 1 ft. in front per 100 yds. at a man walkingAbout 2 ft. in front per 100 yds. at a man at

“double time”

About 3 ft. in front per 100 yds. at a horseman trottingAbout 6 ft. in front per 100 yds. at a horseman galloping

(b ) Range over 500 yards, aim

fl

A

]:the head of a column of troops mov ing to either

an

About 6 lengths ahead of A irplanes.

A t the nose of the envelope of A irships.

Exercise for Battle Sigh t of Model 1903. A iming downto counteract Battle S ight , or long range elevation ,

for

short ranges :W ith an adjustable rest for rifle

,the“S ighter is in

structed to estimate and sight and set rifle some multiple ,such as one-ha lf the width of bull

’

s-eye below the bull'

s

eye . When done, the instructor looks through the sightsand directs marker , with disk bull

’

s-eye , to“mark” when

d isk is in norma l position to sights. The distance thusmeasured 15 compared and corrected ,

the S ighter lookingthrough the sights at the new correct point .

In the same way , Mark” the estimated aim, once thewidth and then twice the width of bull ’s-eye below mark .

Note. If practice in“A iming O ff" is desired ,left and

right estimated a ims can be taken and corrected as in“A iming Down Ex ercise ,

” preceding.

CHAPTER VII

(Prepares for Official Tests V,VI and IX)

POSITION AND AIMING DRILLS

61 . TO LOAD. Be ing in line or skirmish line at ha lt .

I . With dummy (blank or ba ll ) cartridges, 2 . Load .

At the command load each trooper faces hal f rightand carries right foot to the right, about I foot

,to

8 —'

l o

POSITION AND A IMING DRILLS 35

such position as will insure the greatest firmness and

steadiness of the body , ra ises or lowers the rifle and

drops it into the left hand at the balance,left thumb

extended along the stock , muzzle at the height of the

FIG. 9 .— Position of Load .

breast , and , in Model 1903, turns the cut-off up. Withthe right hand he turns and draws the bolt back , takesa loaded clip (Fig. 8 ) and inserts the end in the clipslots, places the thumb well back on the powder Spaceo f the top cartridge , the fingers ex tending around the

rifle and t ips resting on the magazine floor-plate ; forcesthe cartridges into the magaz ine by pressing down withthe thumb ; without removing the clip thrusts the bolt

36 POSITION AND AIMING DRILLS

home,turningdown the handle ; turns the safety lock to

the“Sa fe” ; and carries the hand to the small of thestock . (Fig.

A skirmish line may load while mov ing, the riflebeing held as nearly as practicable in the posit ion ofload .

If kneeling or sitting,the position of the piece is sim

ilar ; i f kneeling, the le ft forearm rests on the left th igh ;i f sitting, the elbows are supported by the knees ; i f ly ingdown , the left hand steadies and supports the piece at

the ba lance , the toe of the butt resting on the ground ,the muzzle off the ground .

For reference,these positions ( standing, kneeling and

lying down ) are designated as that o f Load .

For instruction in loading : 1 . Simulate, 2 . Load.

W ith the Model 1903, th is is ex ecuted as above described without cartridges, ex cept that the Cut-Off re

mains Off”and the handling of cartridges is Simulated .

.W ith the Model 1917, it can be executed as above

described , without cartridges, i f the Follower is helddown by the Follower Depressor

,issued for this purpose.

mm

FIG. 9a.— Fol lower Depressor for Model 19 17 .

Follower Depressor. The Depressor is to be used onlyin Exercises. (Fig, 9a . )

{ts obj ect is to hold the Follower down clear o f the

bo t.

POSITION AND A IMING DRILLS 37

The Depressor is inserted into the Magazine edgewise ,forcing the Magazme Follower down and is then turnedlaterally into normal position and a llowed to rise withthe Follower . The edges of the Depressor engage thesides of the Magazine opening in the Receiver and sincethe top plate of the Depressor is troughed , sufficientclearance for the mov ement of the Bolt is afforded .

The recruits are first taught to simulate loading and

firing. A fter a few lessons dummy cartridges may beused . L ater, blank cartridges may be used .

62. EXERCISE— LOADING MAGAZINE FROMBELT. The soldier wi ll be ex ercised in loading fromthe belt, pockets fastened , with a clip of dumm

ycar

tridges, in position o f Standing, Kneeling, S itting, rone .

83. TO UNLOAD. Take the Position of Load, turnthe safety lock up and mov e bolt alternately back and

forward until all the cartridges are ej ected, taking careto do this slowly to av oid scattering or inj uring the car

t ridges. A fter the last cartridge is ej ected , the chamberis closed by first thrusting the bolt slightly forward tofree it from the stud holding it in place when the chamber is open

,pressing the follower down and back to en

gage it under the bolt , and then , thrusting the bolt home ,the safety lock is turned to ready

,and the trigger is

pulled . The cartridges are then picked up , cleaned and

returned to the belt,and the rifle is brought to the order .

The position of Ready is the same as the Position ofLoad except that the sa fety is turned to Ready .

64. POSITION EXERCISE, STANDING. The squadbeing in the Position of Load, the instructor commands :I . Position, 2 . Exercise. At the last command , without

38 POSITION AND A IM ING DRILLS

moving the body or eyes, ra ise the rifle smartly to the

front of the right shoulder to the full ex tent Of the

left arm,elbow inclined downward , the barrel nea rly

horizonta l,muzzle slightly depressed

,heel of the butt

on a line with the top of the shoulder.

FIG. I o .— Pos1tion of Aiming, S tanding.

Two. Bring the piece smartly against the hollow ofthe shoulder, without permitting the shoulder to giveway , and press the rifle against it , main ly with the righthand

,only slightly with the left

, the forefinger ( secondj oint ) of the right hand resting lightly against the trigger, the rifle inclined neither to the right nor le ft . At

the same time bring the le ft elbow well under the rifle ;right elbowas high as the shoulder. (Fig.

40 POSITION AND A IMING DRILLS

direct the sights to be adjusted for the lowest elevat ion,and subsequently for the different longer ranges.

The instructor commands : I . Aiming. 2 . Exercise.

A t the last command , ex ecute the first and second motion of the Position Ex ercise . (Par . (Fig.

Two. Bend the head a little to the right, the cheekresting snugly aga inst the stock to assist the“hold” and

avoid bruising the jaw; the left eye closed ,the right eye

looking through the rear sight at a point slightly belowthe mark .

Three. Draw a moderately long breath ,let a portion

Of it escape , then , with the lungs in a state o f rest,slowly

raise the rifle with the le ft hand,being careful not to

incline the sight to either side,unti l the line of sight is

directly on the mark ; hold the rifle steadi ly directed onthe mark for a moment ( 7 to IO seconds) then

,with

out command , and j ust before the power to hold therifle steadi ly is lost , drop the rifle to the position ofReady and resume the breathing.

Remarks. Some riflemen prefer to ex tend the leftarm. Such a position gives greater control over therifle when firing m a strong wind or at moving Obj ects.

It also possesses advantages when a rapid as well as

accurate delivery o f fire is desired . Whatever the posit ion ,

whether standing,kneeling,

sitting or prone,the

piece should rest on the palm of the left hand,never on

the tips of the fingers, and should be firmly grasped bya ll the fingers and the thumb .

Lowering the head too far to the front , to bring the

eye into the Line of S ight , brings it near the right hand ,

which grasps the stock . When the piece is discharged.

this hand is carried by the recoil to the rear and,when

POSITION AND AIMING DRILLS 41

the head is in this position , may strike against the noseor mouth . This often happens in practice, and , as a re

sult of this blow often repeated,many men become

gun-shy or fl inch

,or close their eye at the moment of

firing. Much bad shooting, ascribed to other causes, isreally due to this fault . Raising the right elbow at

right angles to the body elevates the right shoulder , andli fts the piece so that it is no longer necessary to inclinethe head materially to the front in order to look alongthe sights.

As changes in the elev ation of the rear Sight will necessitate a corresponding change in the position of thesoldier’s head when aiming, the ex ercise Should not beheld with the Sight adj usted for the longer ranges untilthe men have been practiced with the sights as theywould genera lly be adj usted for Off hand firing.

The soldier must be cautioned that , while raisingthe line of sight to the mark , he must fix his eye on themark and not on the front sight. If this plan be not followed , when firing 15 held on the range at long distancesthe mark will generally appear blurred and ind istinct .The rifle must be raised slowly, without j erk ,

and its

motion stopped gradua lly . In reta ining it directed at themark , care must be taken not to continue the aim a ftersteadiness is lost ; this period will probably be found tobe short at first , but will quickly lengthen with practice .

No effort should be made to prolong it beyond the timethat breathing can be easi ly restrained . Each soldierwill determine for himsel f the proper time for dismounting the aim.

67 . TRIGGER SQUEEZE EXERCISE. The triggershould be squeezed, not pulled

,the hand being closed

42 POSITION AND A IM ING DRILLS

upon itself as a sponge is squeezed, the forefinger sha ring in th is movement . The forefinger should be placedas far around the trigger as to press it with the secondjoint . By practice the soldier becomes fami liar with thetrigger squeeze of his rifle , and knowing this, he is ableto j udge at any time , within limits, what additional pressure is required for its discharge . By constant repetition of this exercise he should be able fina lly to squeeze

the trigger to a certain point beyond which the slightestmovement will release the sear . H aving squeez ed the

trigger to this point , the aim is corrected and the additional pressure is applied and the discharge follows.

Exercise. The instructor commands : I . Tr iggerSqueeze. 2 . Exercise. A t the command Exercise, thesoldier will ex ecute the first motion of the A iming Exercise . (Par.

Two. The second motion of the A iming Exercise .

Three. Draw a moderately long breath,let a por

tion of it escape,hold the breath and slowly raise the

rifle with the le ft hand , until the line of sight is on themark, being careful not to incline the sights to either side .

Contract the trigger finger gradually, slowly and stead

ily, increasing the pressure on the trigger while the aimis being perfected . In most trigger pulls there are twodistinct stages : I . The S lack; 2 . The Creep or Dragend ing at the Critical Point. A fter the slack is takenout and the creep begins, continue the gradual increaseof pressure required to release the point of the S earwhich should be done almost insensibly

,the pull sliding

a long through the creep without causing any deflectionof the rifle . A fter one has shot a rifle a few times

,he

will get to know how long the creep is, and so,when

POSITION AND A IM ING DRILLS 43

t he critical point is approaching. This will enable himto make the release of the firing pin and the perfectionof the aim take place at the same time

,which is impor

tant in firing in a heavy side wind or at a movablemark, where the aim cannot be held steadily . Continuethe aim for a moment a fter release of the firing pin ,

and Observ e i f any change has been made in the direction of the line o f sight to note errors of Sight due topulling or flinching.

Remarks. By frequent practice in this exercise , eachman may come to know the exact instant his firing pinwill be released . He must be taught to hold the breath ,

bring the sights to bear upon the mark, and squeeze thetrigger all at the same time .

A good test of proper trigger squeezing is to balancea coin on the hood of the front sight while squeezing thetrigger .

88. RAPID FIRE EXERCISE. (To be done withModel 1903 with cut off

“off

”

; and may be done withModel 19 17 with the Follower held down by means of

the Follower Depressor issued for this purpose . ) It is

recommended that this ex ercise be given with the bayonets fixed (by the command : Fix Bayonet ) as

,in the

field,the soldier must usuallv be ready to use the bayonet

immed iately after firing.

Object . The obj ect.

of this exercise is to teach thesoldier to load and a im quickly and at the same timeaccurately in all the positions he will be called upon to

assume in range practice . This may be done with the“A iming Rod Dev ice

”

(Hollifield ) or the Belgian Aiming Dev ice .

The instructor commands : I . Rapid-fire Exercise ; 2 .


Commence firing. At the first command, the first and

second motions of the Trigger-Squeeze Exercise are

performed . At the second command ,the soldier per

forms the third motion oi the Trigger-Squeeze Exercise,squeezing the trigger without destroying the aim or the

position of the piece , but at the same time without undue deliberation . He then ,

i f possible without remov ingthe rifle from the shoulder

,holding the piece in position

with the left hand , grasps the handle of the bolt withthe right hand, rapidly draws back the bolt, closes thechamber, aims, and again squeezes the trigger . Thismov ement is repeated until the trigger has been squeezed

fiv e times, when ,without command

,the piece is brought

back to the position of Ready .

When the soldier has acquired some facility in thisexercise , he will be required to repeat the mov ement tentimes, and finally, by using dummy cartridges, he may ,

by degrees, gain the necessary quickness and d ex terity

{

for the execution of the Rapid F ire required in ranger1ng.

Manipulation of the Breech Mechanism. To hold thepiece to the shoulder

, and at the same time manipulatethe breech mechanism with the proper facility, are

learned only a fter much practice . Some riflemen,os

pecially men who shoot from the left shoulder , find .it

easier, in rapid firing,to drop the piece to the position

of load after each shot . While at first trial this methodmay seem easier

,it is believ ed

,that

,with practice , the

adv antage of the former method will be apparent .

Note. Some of the best shots in the United States,instead of letting go of the bolt handle to grasp the smallof the stock, and pull the trigger with the first finger


reta in their hold on the bolt handle with their thumband first finger , pressing the trigger with the secondfinger . In this method the hand grasps the bolt handleat all times with great firmness, second finger ex tended .

The trigger finger presses the trigger with the samecaution and deliberation . (The equiva lent of theS queeze is Obtained by using the grip of the thumb and

first finger on the bolt as a fulcrum,instead of the thumb

over the small of the stock . ) In this method much timeis saved and steadiness ga ined by not changing the gripOf the bolt handle to the small o f the stock, each timethe trigger is pulled .

In all magazine fire, rapid ity combined with accuracyis best secured by ex treme quickness in Operating thebolt mechanism and ample deliberation in a iming and

pressing the trigger .

89. POSITION AND AIMING DRILL, KNEELING.

These ex ercises will be repeated in the kneeling positionby causing the squad to kneel by the command, Kneel .(Fig. I I . ) The ex ercise will be ex ecuted as prescribedfor Standing,

” ex cept that at the command Two in thePosition Exercise the soldier will rest the left elbowon the le ft knee , the point of the elbow in front of theknee-cap. The paster (bull

’

s-eyes) for the KneelingEx ercise should be at 2% feet from the ground .

Remarks. Frequent rests will be given during practice in these ex ercises kneeling,

as the position,i f long

continued,becomes constrained and fatigues the soldier

unnecessarily .

In raising the rifle to the mark in the second and thirdex ercises, the position Of the left hand should not bechanged , but the le ft forearm should be brought toward


the body and at the same time the body bent Slightly to

the rear.

When aiming kneeling, there is, from the nature of theposition , a tendency to press the butt of the rifle aga instthe upper arm instead of against the hollow Of theshoulder ; this will necessitate inclining the head considerably to the right to get the line of Sight, and by

FIG. I I .—Position of Aiming, Kneeling.

bringing the rifle SO far to the rear will , i f the thumbis placed across the stock

,cause it to giv e by the recoil

a blow upon the nose or mouth . To av oid this,the

thumb can be placed a long the top of the stock,on the

right of the receiv er.

These difficulties may be av oided by advancing theright elbow well to the front

,at the same time ra ising it

so that the arm is about parallel with the ground . The

hollow of the Shoulder will then be the natural place forthe rifle butt , and the right thumb will be brought toofar from the face to strike it in the recoil .Some riflemen prefer, by bending the ankle

, to rest

48 POSITION AND AIM ING DRILLS

with an interv al o f one pace between fi les,the rifle

should first be brought to Order arms , the instructorthen commands : Sit down .

At this command make a ha l f face to the right and ,

assisted by the left hand on the ground , sit down ,facing

slightly to the right , the left leg directed toward thefront

,right leg inclined toward the right , both heels,

but not necessarily the bottoms Of the feet , on the ground ,the right knee slightly higher than the left ; body erectand carried naturally from the hips ; at the same timedrop the muzzle of the piece to the front

,and to the

position of the first motion Of load,right hand upon the

thigh , j ust in front of the body,the left hand Slightly

abov e , but not resting upon , the left leg.

The ex ercise will be executed as heretofore prescribed,

ex cept that at the command Two (Position Exercise ) ,the soldier will rest the le ft elbow on the left knee, thepoint Of the elbow in front of the knee cap and the rightelbowagainst the left (or inside ) of the right knee , at

the same time’

inclining the body from the hips slightlyforward .

For the A iming and Trigger-Squeeze Exercises, thepasters, used as aiming points

,will be 2/2 feet from

the floor or the ground .

To afford the men rest,or

,on the completion of the

Kneeling or S itting Down Ex ercises, the instructor willcommand Rise, when the men rise

,face to the front,

and resume the Order arms .

71 . POSITION AND AIMINGDRILL, PRONE. Fromthe nature of the position

,it is not practicable to exe

cute these ex ercises according to the method followedwhen standing or kneeling. Instruction will

,howev er.


a lways be giv en with reference to the position , to themanner of assuming it, and to aiming and squeezingthe trigger.For this purpose the squad being formed as specifiedS itting Down

”

( the black pasters therein mentioned being about 12 inches from the ground) , the squad wi llbe brought to Order arms. Then ( the squad eitherstanding or kneeling) the instructor commands : Lie

FIG. 12 .— Position of Aiming, Prone.

Down, which will be executed as prescribed in the DrillRegulations ; except that the body should be inclinedas litt le as possible and the toes turned out with heelsclose to the ground to diminish v ulnerability . ( Fig.

Note. When lying down in action in the Open,keep

the face on the ground .

M ov e as little as possible in any position .

Remain absolutely immov able, when halting in Attack ,

” except when acting as Observ er or firing.

An immov able obj ect is ex tremely difficult to see ,

while the slightest mov ement immediately attracts the

e e.yBeing at Ready, the instructor then commands : I .

Trigger-Squeeze, 2 . Exercise.

so POSITION AND AIMING DRILLS

At the latter command , carry the left elbow to the

front and slightly to the right, the left hand under thebarrel at the balance, weight o f the body mainly supported by the left elbow, the right resting lightly on the

ground .

Two. S lide the rifle , with the right fl hand, throughthe left hand to the front, unti l the left hand is a littlein front of the trigger guard ; at the same time ra isethe rifle with both hands and press it against

‘the hollowof the shoulder.

Three. Di rect the rifle upon the mark and carry out

the further details of a iming and squeezing the triggeras prescribed in“Trigger-Squeeze Exercise .

Then resume the position ,Lying Down, with the face

close to the ground .

As soon as the men hav e acquired with accuracy thedetails of the position they will be practiced

,without

the numbers, in aiming and squeezing the trigger at will ;a fter which the rapid-fire ex ercise in the prone positionwill be practiced , the necessary Skill and dex terity beingacquired by degrees.

To afford the men rest , or on completion of the ex

ercise,the instructor will command : Rise.

In the prone position , when aiming, the left elbowshould be well under the barrel , the other elbow somewhat to the right , but not so far as to induce any tendency to Slip on the ground . (Fig.

The greater changes in elev ation required in first directing the rifle on the Obj ect, should be giv en by altering the position Of the left hand under the barrel , theslightest changes only by advancing or withdrawing theshoulder.


72. POSITION AND AIMING DRILL FROM COVER.

(Fig. Instruct the soldier to assume the firingposition for an under-rifle-rest , such as sand bags, parapet or wall .

F 1 1 .

“A lmifl g from Cov er.

A lso froma side-rifle- rest , such as a tree, v orticai edge

o f wall, door, wmdow,etc.

CHAPTER VIII

DEFLECTION AND ELEVATION CORREC

TION DRILLS

73. ELEVATION. W ith the Rear S ight Lea f down,

the Battle S ight of Model 1903 rifle IS a notch and has a

fix ed elev ation of 547 yards. The Battle S ight of theModel 19 17 rifle 1s a peep

’ ’

and has a fixed elevation of200 yards. This sight 18 used when time is so importantthere is no opportunity to set the sights. The D ri ftS lide must be dropped to the bottom Of the S ight Lea fwhen the Battle S ight o f M odel 1903 is used .

In Model 1903, with the Leaf up , the movable S l ideconta ins Sight openings, the peep hole , open triangle orfield view

, and the upper notch in the upper edge Of theDri ft S lide . To set an elevation , loosen the S lide Binding Screw and bring the line passing through the cen

ter of the sight opening in a line with the line on the

side of the Leaf under the number indicating the rangedesi red , then tighten the S lide Binding Screw. The

numbers stand for hundreds of yards,— for example , 8stands for 800 yards. Between these long lines are

some Shorter ones which div ide the l oo-yard'

div ision

into 50 and 2 5 yards.

In Model 1917, with the Leaf up, the movable Slide52

DEFLECTION AND ELEVATION CORRECTION 53

contains a peep only . To set an elevation,release

the Spring Latch,bring one of the lines in the

bev eled Opening near the top of the S lide ev enwith the line on the Leaf opposite the number indicatingthe range desired , release the Spring Latch into thecorresponding notch Of the Leaf . The numbers standfor hundreds of yards and there are no sma ller div isionsor intermediate notches.

. 74. WINDAGE. (For Model 1903 only, as the

M odel 1917 has no wind gauge . ) The movable base isa wind gauge mov ed by a screw and graduated towardthe butt end with the main and sub-div isions betweenzeros at both ends of the scale . Each Of the smal l divisions is called a

“Point .

”

Mov ing the scale to the right, past the right line onthe fix ed base , is ca lled taking right wind and is tocounteract the effect of a wind from the right . Mov

ing the scale to the le ft passing the left line on the fixedbase is taking leftwind. One sma ll division is one pointo f“le ft wind two small divisions

,two

, etc. In otherwords, to counteract the effect of wind , mov e the windgauge to windward .

Note. The long lines which mark every third point onwind gauge are only to assist in counting the number Ofpoints taken . The soldier should be practiced in sightsetting for designated distance and W indage . Rapidityas well as accuracy is important . . The soldier shouldev entually be able to adjust correctly for giv en elev ation and W indage in fiv e seconds.

75 . RULE FOR ELEVATION. A conv enient rule forestimating number of inches up or down on the target

54DEFLECTION AND ELEVATION CORRECTION

that a 25-yard change in elevation will change the position of the nex t Shot is :Number of hundreds of yards of range squared and

div ided by 4 . (F igs. 14, I 5, I6,

cot t tcrloucou uromue 105mm 1 111111011

1111

cou rq uon cou rsroume 10out yourorDtrl tCIIOR

FIG. I4 .— Target A— 4 ft. x 6 ft.Range zoo yards.

Example. At 600-yard range , 6 squared equals 36 ,div ided by 4 equals 9 , or the number of inches that a

change of 2 5 yards’ elevation wi ll raise or lower the shot

on the target . 4

56 DEFLECTION AND ELEVATION CORRECTION

Example. A t 600-yard range , wind 10 mi les per hour ,6 x 1 0 equa ls 60 ; d ivided by 10 equals 6 quarter pointsof wind or one and one-hal f points o f left windage fora 9 O

’clock wind,or right windage for a 3 O

’clock wind .

W inds from2,

‘

4 , 8 and 10 O’clock require .v ery little less

£61. 1 4qCOLLU MIDIIGToA

owner or tun nel25°l 15 for

o 72 l I your:cou tct lon coumomue 10(y). A 10111 or u rt icpou

FIG. I 6.— Target B— 6 ft. x 6 ft.Range 500 yards.

windage than the above . W inds from I I , I , 5 and 7o ’clock require one-hal f the abov e amount .The taking of y, point of wind results in mov ing the

line of fire latera lly upon the target one inch for each100 yards Of range .


Example.

point at 200 yds. mov es bullet 2 inches, or I point, 8 inches

(.

Fig 14>pomt at 300 yds. mov es bullet 3 1nches, or I pomt, I2 1nches

(.

Fig. 15 ) 0 0

poInt at 500 yds. moves bullet 5 1nches, or I point, 20 inches

(Fig. 16) 0

point at 600 yds. moves bullet 6 inches, or I point, 24 1nches

(Fig. 17 )

Remember : If you hit below the mark ra ise the Elev ation S lide ; i f you hit to the right of the mark, move

abu tment( an a tomic To

‘

l( In n at tu n nelor 25“(1l

cou tq m ( Ol Lt JMl NIG toon 1011] Of t t fl t q lfl

FIG. 1 7 .—Target B. Range 600 yards.


the windage to the le ft or aim to the le ft Of the mark ;and v ice versa .

77 . BLACKING SIGHTS. The sights should beblack . If bright they should be taken to the armorerfor blacking.

78. ADJUSTING THE SIGHTS. ( a ) Elevation. The

graduations of the rear Sight are Often incorrect and

the elev ation Often v aries with conditions. The correc

tion necessary for each particular rifle at any range isfound by shooting it at that range , and is constant withthe same ammunition ,

when firing under the same conditions. If no correction is necessary, the rifle is sa id to“Shoot on the mark .

”

(b ) The Zero of a Rifle. (For Model I903 only . )That reading of the wind gauge necessary to ov ercomethe drift of a rifle at a particular range is ca lled the“Z ero” Of that rifle for that range , and all allowancesfor wind should be ca lculated from this reading.

The“Zero” of a rifle should be found while Shooting

it on a perfectly ca lmday.

79. EXERCISE. To giv e the soldier practice in cor

recting elevation and windage , a target should be placedon the wa ll facing the squad and a black paster attacheda foot Or more from the bull

’

s-eye , then on a horizonta lline with it

,and finally in an oblique direction .

For this drill , the _rifle of each soldier who has not

determined by actua l firing the“Zero and the correct

elevations for the different ranges will be assumed toshoot on the mark and to require no windage .

Announce the range and tell the men that the pasterrepresents the posit ion of an assumed hit and require


each man to correct his sight so as to bring the nex t hitinto the bull’s-eye . This exercise should be repeateddai ly during Gal lery Practice , until the men hav e ac

6FIG. 18.

— Imaginary Horizonta l Clock Face.

quired accuracy in making corrections for all ranges upto yards.

When themen have learned how to adjust their sights,


this ex ercise Should be carried on in connection withGallery Practice . The rear sight on each rifle is giv enan incorrect setting in elev ation and windage by the instructor

, and the soldier required to find the correctadjustment by firing.

The Effect of Wind. Is is important that the sol

dier should be taught to estimate the force and direc

tion of the wind .

The direction Of the wind , for conv enience, is ex

pressed by a clock- face notation (Fig. I8 ) , the clock being supposed to lie on the ground with the hour XIItoward the target or mark and the hour III at the firer

’

s

right hand . A wind blowing from the front ( that is,from the direction of the target ) is called a

“XII

O’

clock wind ,” one directly from the left and across the

field of fire is called a“IX o ’clock wind ,

”and so on .

The direction of the wind can be obtained by observingits effect upon smoke

,on trees, or grass or dust , or by

wetting the finger and hold ing it up .

The force of the wind is designated in mi les per hour .

CHAPTER IX

OFFICIAL TESTS AND KNOWN DISTANCE

FIRING OF C. SPECIAL COURSE

The soldier is first giv en a thorough course of preliminary practice ( as outlined in Chapters I to VII] , inclusiv e) . H e is then

,before being allowed to fire a

shot on the target range, giv en the following tests .

”

80. TEST 1 . NOMENCLATURE OF THE RIFLE inso far as is necessary for its efficient care and use .

81 . TEST II. ASSEMBLING AND DISSEMBLINGOF THE RIFLE in so far as is necessary for its efficientcare and use.

82. TEST III . CARE OF RIFLE.

93. TEST IV . SIGHTING-SETTING: NORMAL AND

PEEP, with and without deflection . Max imum timel imit o f 10 seconds in each Of not less than 5 consecutiv etrials.

84. TEST V. FIRING POSITIONS

(a ) Standing,(b ) Kneeling,(c) S itting,(d ) Prone ,

62 OFFICIAL TESTS OF C. SPECIAL COURSE

(e ) From parapet,wa ll top , or other under

rifle rest ,( f ) From v ertica l edge of wall, door, window,

tree or similar position .

85. TEST VI . LOADING FROM BELT, pockets fastened

,with a clip Of dummy cartridges in position .

StandingKneeling

Mammum time lImIt of 10 sec

S itting0nds each in best 5 out of 7

Prone consecutiv e trials.

88. TEST VII . SIGHTING. W ith rifle in sightingrest (Third S ighting Exercise, Chap . VI) ,

Proficiency required in 3 con

Normal S ightsecutiv e triangles o f sightingwith each . D istance 20 feet ; noPeep S 1ghtside of triangle to ex ceed V2inch .

87. TEST VIII . AIMING COMBINED WITH TRIG

GER SQUEEZE. Test by means of(a ) Target Machine,(b ) A iming Rod Dev ice ,(c) Belgian A iming Device , or(d ) Perforated Bull

’

s-eye over instructor’s eye .

(Methods used ,to be noted by abbrev iations M , R,

B ,

and P,respectively . )(a ) Standing,(b ) Kneeling,

(cl_ S itting, and

(d ) Prone .

88. TEST IX. RAPID LOADING, AIMING


TABLE I — SLOW FIRE.

PositionTime Target and Type

of Trench

Prone

5 Leaf and

5 Battle Sight

No limit Standing Io Leaf and

(Fig. 14) 5 Battle Sight

One-hal f o f firing with leaf sight at this range willbe with bayonet not fixed .

105 points out of possible 175 in S low Fi re at bull ’seye target necessary to advance to S low Fire at figuretarget .

TABLE 2 .— SLOW FIRE .

9 hits out of possible I5 required to advance to RapidFire.

OFFICIAL TESTS OF C. SPECIAL COURSE

TABLE 3.—RAPID FIRE .

PositionShots Target and Type

of Trench

I minute 10—20 Head ProneI minute 10 F StandingI minute 10 F Standing

18 hits out of possible 40 required to advance toRecord Practice.

Soldiers who fail to make the necessary points to ad

vance are giv en further instructions and practice to thelimit of the ammunition allowance.

PROCEDURE, RAPID FIRE as prescribed for C. SpecialCourse. There will be but one man firing at each target .The officer in charge of the line will command Lie Down,i f the firing is to be at 100 yards, and then commandsLoad. The magazine will be fi lled , the piece loaded withone cartridge therefrom, and the safety lock turned toS afe. When all is ready in the pit , the targets to be firedupon will be drawn fully down ( the rear targets beingblank or targets of another class than those being firedupon ) , and a red flag hoisted at the center . target . Whenthe red flag is displayed , the Officer in charge of the firing line will command Ready, when the safety lock willbe turned to the ready and the position of Ready as

sumed , with the sling, i f used , on the arm. The oflicer

in charge of the firing linewill then call so that all mayhear, Ready on the right ; ready on the left. When the


officer in charge ca lls out, Ready on the righ t, etc .,any

one who is not readymust ca ll out,Not ready on target

If any soldier fails to SO ca ll , it will be assumed that heis ready

,and i f he fails to fire when the target appears

he will be giv en a total miss for that score .

The firing line being ready ,the pit is signaled or tele

phoned, Ready on the firing line. When this signa l is receiv ed in the pit , the red flag is wav ed and lowered and

five seconds thereafter the targets appear,remaining in

Sight one minute and then disappear. As soon as anypart of the target appears, the soldier begins to fire and

attempts to fire 10 Shots,reloading with a full clip

which is taken fromthe belt , and continues to fire until 10shots are fired or until the target disappears.

Each unfired cartridge counts a miss.

In case of a defectiv e cartridge or a disabled piece, orwhen more than IO hits are made on a target, the practice is repeated .

At all ranges, in rapid fire,firing is from a full clip,

and the second clip must be loaded from the belt . In

case a clip jams or breaks,cartridges may be loaded

singly .

At the expiration of the time limit, the target is pulleddown and marked

,all hits being giv en their proper v a lue .

In case of more than 10 hits on a target , the target willnot be marked but the firing line will be notified and thefiring on that target repeated . In case a soldier fires onthe wrong target , only such shots as he may hav e firedon his own target will be counted on his score . He willbe giv en misses for the remainder of his score .

In firing rapid fire,i f more than one target is used , the

first order ofmen at the firing point will fire together , one

OFFICIAL TESTS OF C. SPECIAL COURSE~

67

man at each target, all targets being fired upon at onetime.

93. RECORD PRACTICE.

TABLE 4.

— RAPID

Tirne

Io-2 0 Head Prone

I minute

* At this range the soldier must fire IO rounds ; hemay fire as many more as he can up to 20 rounds and

receiv e credit for ev ery hit he makes. Soldier is penalized I point for each round less than ten that he doesnot fire.

Total shots, 130.

94. MID-RANGE PRACTICE. For allmen who havemade 2 5 hits or more in Record Practice.

TABLE 5 .

— SLowFIRE .

Position

Prone

(Fig. 16)


Ev ery effort wi ll be made to teach the men the effectof wind , light, and temperature, and the v alue of sma l lchanges in elev ation and windage.

NO report of this firing will be required , although a

record of it will be kept in each company.

95. PRACTICE WITH TELESCOPIC SIGHTS. A fter

Mid-range Practice has been completed , the four best eulisted shots of the company will fire with telescopic Sights,not to ex ceed 40 rounds per man firing.

This practice is intended for long ranges only, butit may be found necessary , until the rifles are accuratelySighted and the elevations known

,to start at S horter

ranges and work back , no range being left until the target can be hit at that range . This part of the practicewill be at the discretion of the offi cer conducting the firing. Target B may be used i f found necessary to fire at

ranges shorter than yards.

”At yards and

ov er Target C is used .“A t yards each man will fire 20 Shots for record .

N0 report of the firing will be requ1red , although a record of it will be kept in the company . This record willShow the number of the rifle with which the score wasmade

,the elevation and the windage used at the v arious

ranges, and the force and d irection Of the wind at thetime of firing. The data will then be av ailable when further practice is held with this part icular rifle and sight .Practice may be held at yards where a suitablerange is av ai lable .

”

( S . A . F . M .

96. COMBAT PRACTICE. Combat practice , indiv idual and collective , will be fired by an organization afterthe completion of the Known D istance Practice .

An annua l al lowance of 50 rounds of ammunition per

OFFICIAL TESTS OF C. SPECIAL COURSE 69

man,to be expended under the direction of the regi

menta l commander,is authorized for this practice .

97. TARGETS. Target A -

4 is the A target (Fig. 14)cut down to 4 feet square .

The H ead Target is the top of the E target cut off 1 2

inches from the top . (Fig.

19.— Head Target. FIG. 193.

—Target F.

CHAPTER X

GALLERY PRACTICE

98. RIFLE. U. S . Caliber .30 or .2 2 or any rifle forS low Fire . Any magazine rifle for Rapid F ire .

99. AMMUNITION. Reduced charge for .30 caliber ;or .2 2 caliber for .2 2 caliber rifle .

Note. For Construction of Gallery Ranges, in formation may be obta ined from the Secretary of the NationalRifle Association

,Woodward Building, Washington ,

D .

C . , a lso from the E . I. Du Pont de Nemours Co . , W ilmingtou,

Del.

100. SLOW FIRE COURSE. The following course(which was prescribed for the Organized M i litia ) issuggested :

TABLE I . 19 13 , PAGE 2 02 )

PART II

AUTOMATIC PISTOL , CALIBER

.45 , MODEL 191 1

CHAPTER I

NOMENCLATURE AND CARE OF THE

PISTOL

102. PARTS. There are 53 parts to the pistol as follows (Fig. 2 1 )

Receiv erBarrelS lidePlunger tubeS lide top plungerPlunger SpringSa fety lock plungerS l ide stopRear sightFront SightLinkLink pinBarrel bushingRecoil SpringRecoil-spring guidePlugExtractorEj ectorEj ector pin

Firing pinFiring-pin springFiring-pin stopHammerHammer pinHammer strutHammer strut pinMainspringMa inspring capMainspring-cap pinSearSear springSear pinD isconnectorTriggerGrip safetySa fety lockMa inspring housingH ousing pin

78 NOMENCLATURE AND CARE OF THE PISTOL

39. Housing-pin retainer 46. Magazine springLaynard loop 47 . Magazine follower

41 . Laynard Ioop-pin 48 . Magazine catch42 . Magazine tube 49. Mazagine catch spring43. Magazine base 50. Magazine catch lock44. Magazine

1pins (2 ) 51 . Stocks, right and le ft

45. Magazine oop 52 . Stock screws (4 )53. Screw bushings (4)

The six principal Parts of the pistol are : Receiv er ,Magazine, Barrel , S lide, Grip- safety, Sa fety-lock .

The Receiv er ( 1 ) has suitable guides for the recipro

cating S lide 3) and a hollow handle in which the magazine is inserted .

Miscellaneous data concerning pistol :Weight, 2 lbs. 7 oz . Trigger Pull , 6 to 7% lbs.

Length, Bore , called .45 caliber.

Rifling groov es, 6, making rev olution in 16 inches.

103. AMMUNITION. Ba ll Cartridge Caliber 45

( see War Document No .

1041 CARE or PISTOL. (See Care of Rifle , Part I. )

CHAPTER II

OPERATION OF THE PISTOL

105. METHOD OF OPERATION. A loaded magazineis placed in the handle and the slide (3) drawn fullyback and released , thus bringing the first cartridge intothe chamber ( i f the Slide is Open

,push down the slide

stop (8 ) to let the Slide 3) go forward ) . The hammer( 23 ) is thus cocked and the pistol is ready for fi ring.

If it is desired to make the pistol ready for instantuse and for firing with the least possible delay the max imum number of shot s, the magazine being empty, drawback the slide 3 ) insert a cartridge by hand into thechamber of the barrel allow the slide 3 ) to close ,and lOck the Slide (3 ) and the cocked hammer ( 23 ) bypressing the sa fety lock 36 ) upward , and insert a loadedmagazine . The Slide (3 ) and hammer ( 23 ) being thuspositiv ely locked , the pistol may be caried safely at fullcock

,and it is only necessary to press down the safety

lock (36 ) (which is located within easy reach of thethumb ) when raising the pistol to the firing position .

The grip safety (35) is prov ided with an ex tendinghorn

,which not only serves as a guard to prev ent the

hand of the shooter from slipping upward and beingstruck or inj ured by the hammer ( 23 ) but also aidsin accurate shooting by keeping the hand in the same

79

8c OPERATION OF THE PISTOL

position for each Shot ; and , furthermore , permits thelowering of the cocked hammer (23 ) with one hand byautomatica lly pressing in the safety grip 35 ) when thehammer ( 2 3 ) is drawn slightly beyond the cocked position . In order to release the hammer the gripsafety 35) must be pressed in before the t rigger (34 ) ispulled .

108. TO DISMOUNT AND ASSEMBLE PISTOL. Remov e the magazine by pressing the magazine catchPress the plug ( 16 ) inward and turn the barrel

bushing ( 13 ) to the right until the plug ( 16 ) and theend of the recoil spring ( 14 ) protrude from their seat ,releasing the tension of the spring As the plug( 16 ) is allowed to protrude from its seat

,the finger or

thumb should be kept ov er it , so that it will not j umpaway or be lost or strike the Operator. Draw the slide

3 ) rearward unti l the smaller rear recess in its lowerleft edge stands above the proj ection on the thumb pieceof the slidestop press gently against the end ofthe pin of the Slide stop which protrudes from the

.

rightside of the receiv er ( 1 ) abov e the trigger guard and

remov e the slide stopThis releases the link allowing the barrel

with the link ( 1 1 ) and the slide to be drawn forward together from the receiver carrying withthem the barrel bushing recoil spring plug

and recoil-spring guideRemov e these parts from the slide 3) by withdraw

ing the recoil-spring guide ( 1 5) from the rear of therecoil spring ( 14 ) and drawing t he plug ( 16 ) and therecoil spring ( 14 ) forward from the slide Turnplug ( 16 ) to right to remov e the recoil spring

82 OPERATION OF THE PISTOL

3 . The trigger should be squeezed with the forefinger.

If the trigger is squeezed with the second finger, theforefinger ex tending a long the side of the receiv er is apt

to pass against the proj ecting pin of the slide stop and

cause a jam when the slide recoils.

4. Care must be ex ercised 1n inserting the magazine toinsure its engaging with the magazine catch .

5. Pressure must be entirely relieved from the triggera fter each shot , in order that the trigger may reé ngage

the sear .

6 . To remov e cartridges not fired, disengage the magazine slightly , and then ex tract the cartridge in the barrelby drawing back the slide .

7 . The pistol must be kept clean,free from rust and

properly oi led . Ex cessive oil le ft 1n the mechanismwillcause the parts to gum and work stiffly .

8 . Care must be ex ercised to insure that the disconnector is properly assembled in the sear .

9. The hammer Should not be mapped when the pistolis partia lly disassembled .

10. The stocks need nev er be remov ed,as the pistol

can be dismounted and assembled without removingthem.

I I . Do not use a hammer either in assembling or dismounting the pistol .

1 2 . Reasonable care should be taken to see that themagazine is not dented or otherwise damaged .

13 . Careless handling of the pistol or rev olv er is thecause Of many accidents and results in broken parts ofthe mechanism. The following rules will

,i f followed ,

prevent much trouble of this character(a ) On taking the pistol from the arrnrack or holster,

OPERATION OF THE PISTOL 83

take out the magazine and see that 1t is empty before rc

placing it ; then drawback the Slide and make sure thatthe piece is unloaded . Observ e the same precaution a fterpractice on the target range , and again before replacingthe pistol in the holster or in the armrack. When takingthe pistol from the armrack or holster and before re

turning it to the same, open the cylinder and ej ect emptyShells and cartridges. Before beginning a drill and uponarriving on the range observ e the same precautions.

(b ) On a range, neither load nor cock the weaponuntil the moment of firing nor until a run in the mountedcourse is started .

(c) When not otherwise directed, always keep the

pistol or the rev olv er in the position Of Raise Pistol, ex

cept when it is pointed on the target .Do not place the weapon on the ground where

sand or earth can enter the bore or mechanism.

( e ) Before loading the pistol, draw back the slide andlook through the bore to see that it is free fromobstruc

tion. Before loading the rev olv er,open the cylinder

and look through the bore to see that it is free fromobstruction .

( I) Do not point the weapon in any direction wherean accidental discharge may mean harm.

(g) lKeep the working parts properly lubricated.

CHAPTER 111

NEW MANUAL OF THE PISTOL

109. (1 ) WHEN A LANYARD IS USED, the snapsare attached to the butt of the pistol and the magazine ,the lanyard is passed ov er the head ,

and the sliding loopdrawn snug against the arm-pit . The lanyard Shouldthen be of such length that the arm can be ex tendedwithout constraint .110. (2) TO RAISE PISTOL, the Pistol being in the

holster . I . Raise, 2 . Pistol ( Fig.

Raise. Unbutton the flap of the holster with the righthand and grasp the stock ,

back of the hand outward .

Pistol . Draw the pistol from the holster ; rev erse it ,muzzle up ,

the hand holding the stock with the thumband the last three fingers, forefinger outside the guard ,

barrel to the rear and inclined to the front at an angleof 30 degrees, hand as high as the neck and 6 inches infront of the point Of the right shoulder . This is theposition of raise pistol

,and it may similarly be taken

from any posit ion .

111. (3) TO LOWER PISTOL. 1 . Lower, 2 . Pistol.At the command , Pistol, lower the pistol without changing the grasp and rest the hand and pistol on the rightthigh ,

back of hand up , muzzle in front of right knee .

When dismounted , lower the pistol without changing84

86 NEW MANUAL . OF THE PISTOL

leasingmagazine , and then place tip of same finger underproj ection in front

.

of magazine base . Raise magazineabout an inch , then close thumb and second finger onsides of magazine, giv ing a secure grasp with which itcan be drawn from socket in the butt and placed insidethe belt ( in pocket of Shirt or otherwise disposed ofwithout throwing it away ) . Right hand then graspsstock back of hand to the left .113. (5) TOOPEN CHAMBER, the Pistol in any Posi

tion . 1 . Open, 2 . Chamber.

Carry the pistol to the le ft hand ( i f not already there )barrel to the left , front end of Slide grasped betweenthumb and forefinger of left hand ; right hand graspingstock

,back of hand up

,right thumb under Slide stop .

Hold left hand steady and push forward with right handtill slide reaches end of stroke ; engage slide stop , and

come to Raise Pistol. Should the pistol be cocked and

locked,it will be unlocked so that the slide can mov e .

114. (8) TO CLOSE CHAMBER, 1 . Close, 2 . Chamber.

At the command,Close Chamber, release slide stop with

right thumb and let hammer down gently . To let hammer down , pull downward with point of right thumbtill hammer presses against the grip safety and forces ithome

,then while continuing this pressure on hammer,

pull trigger, and while continuing pull On trigger, lethammer down ; wh ile letting hammer down , grasp stockfirmly between the palmand last three fingers to prev entpistol rotating in hand .

115 . (7) TO INSERT MAGAZINE, 1 . Insert, 2 . Magazine. Lower pistol into left hand as in WithdrawM aga

zine, grasp magazine with tip of right forefinger on pro

NEwMANUAL OF THE PISTOL 87

jection at base of magazine, withdraw from pocket andinsert in pistol . Tomake sure that the magazine is home,strike base of magazine with pa lmof right hand . Bringthe pistol to the position of Raise Pistol

118. (8) TORETURN PISTOL, being at Raise Pistol.

1 . Return, 2 . Pistol. Lower the pistol and raise the flapof the holster with the right thumb ; insert the pistolin the holster and push it down , button the flap withthe right hand . If the pistol is loaded and cocked , thecommand, 1 . Lock, 2 . Pistol, must precede the command ,

117. (9) TO LOAD, hav ing Loaded Magazine in Pis

tol, Pistol in any Position, Chamber Empty. 1 . Load,2 . Pistol.Place pistol In left hand

,barrel down, butt of pistol up ,

barrel pointing to the le ft and downwards, slide graspedbetween thumb and forefinger . Push forward with righthand until slide 13 fully open , then release Slide allowingit to mov e forward and load cartridge in chamber. Cometo Raise Pistol. If the last shot in the magazine has beenfired

,to reload, same command , but execute Withdraw

M agazine, Insert M agazine, Close Chamber. As soonas the pistol is loaded it wi ll be immediately locked bythe commands 1 . Lock, 2 . Pistol. Should the commandfor locking pIStOl be inadv ertently omitted it will belocked without command.

118. (10) TO UNLOAD PISTOL, being in any position

,Loaded . Execute by the commands

,1 . Withdraw

Magazine, 2 . Open Chamber, 3. Close Chamber, 4. InsertMagazine.

88 NEW MANUAL OF THE PISTOL

119. (11) TO INSPECT PISTOL, it being in the hol

ster . 1 . Inspection, 2 . Pistol.Ex ecute Raise Pistol.To inspect pistol more minutely add, 3. Withdraw

Magazine, 4. Open Chamber.

To avoid accidents,indiv idual men out of ranks, in

barracks or camp , will first Withdraw M agazine and

then open chamber, whenev er the pistol is remov ed fromthe holster for cleaning,

for ex amination or for anyother purpose . Accidental discharges will not occur i fthe abov e rule is always observed , and fa i lure to oh

serv e it must be considered a military Offense, whetheror not accidents result .120. PRECAUTION. Whenever men fall in ranks

with the automatic pistol , the officer or non-commissionedOfficer in charge will command :I . Raise, 2 . PistolI . Withdraw, 2 . Magazine1 . Open, 2 . Chamber1 . Close, 2 . Chamber1 . Insert, 2 . Magazine1 . Return, 2 . PistolWhen falling in ( dismounted ) , the abov e commands

are given a fter the chambers of rifles hav e been openedand closed

,and the Order resumed , the rifle being held

against the le ft wrist . The commander of any troop ordetachment thereof is responsible for giving the neces

sary commands to put the pistols in a sa fe condition .

121 . THE PISTOL, with cartridges in chamber, ISHABITUALLY CARRIED cocked and locked , whether inthe hand or in the holster . The hammer will not be lowered while the cartridge is in the chamber.

9o NEW MANUAL OF THE PISTOL

the magazine should be carried in . the pocket with theproj ection to the left and Should be withdrawn from the

pocket with the same grasp ~as is prescribed for WithdrawM agazine.

This manual must be practiced with all the precisionand exactness required for the Manua l of the Rifle ; thusaccidents will be reduced to a minimum and fami liaritywith the pistol ga ined .

CHAPTER IV

MUSCLE EXERCISES

125 . IN ORDER TO SHOOTWELL with the pistol orrev olv er, the muscles of the hand and armmust be welldev eloped and under control of the mind . This development and control can only be secured by practice, and

to secure them the following exercises will be practiceddai ly

,the number of times each ex ercise is repeated be

ing gradually increased as the muscles become developed .

128. FIRST EXERCISE. One. Arms sideward,palms

up. Two. Raise. Th ree. Finger Exercise . Four.

Close. Five. Open. Close and open the’

fingers vigorously ,

separating the fingers when Open . Resume the

Position of a Soldier at the command , Halt. Vary theex ercise by turning the pa lms to the front , down , and tothe rear.

127 . SECOND EXERCISE. One. Arms sideward,palms up. Two. Raise. Three. Wrist Exencise. Four.

Up. Five. Down,or Four. Front. Five. Rear . Bend

the wrist according to the command , keeping the fingersex tended and j oined . Resume the Position of a Soldierat the command, Halt. Vary the ex ercise as in F irstEx ercise .

92 MUSCLE EXERCISES

128. THIRD EXERCISE. One. Right armforward .

Two. Raise. Three. Forefinger Exercise. Four . Close.

Five. Open. Close and open the forefinger v igorouslywithout mov ing the other fingers, which are held tightlyclosed as in gripping the pistol . Resume the Posit ion ofa Soldier at the command , Halt .

94 POSITION INSTRUCTION

of the stock,the recoil will cause a rotary mov ement

towards the opposite Side .

The releasing of the sear causes a slight mov ement o fthe muzzle generally to the left. The position of the

thumb a long the stock overcomes much of this movement . The soldier Should be encouraged to practice thismethod of holding until it becomes natural .To do uniform shooting,

the weapon must be heldwith ex actly the same grip for each shot . Not onlymust the hand grasp the stock at the same point for eachshot, but the tension o f the grip must be uni form.

131. THE TRIGGER SQUEEZE. The triggermust besqueezed in the same manner as in rifle firing. The pressure of the forefinger on the trigger should be steadilyincreased and stra ight back, and not sideways. The

pressure Should continue to that point beyond which theslightest mov ement will release the sear. Then

,when

the aim is true, the additiona l pressure is applied and thepistol fired .

Only by much practice can the soldier become fami liarwith the trigger squeeze . This is essential to accurateshooting. It is the most important detail to master inpistol or revolver shooting.

132. AIMING. Ex cept when deliv ering Rapid orQuick F ire , the rear and front sights Of the pistol areused 1n the same manner as the rifle sights. The norma lsight IS habitual ly used (Fig. and the line of sight lsdirected upon a point just under the bull’s-eye at

“6

O clock The front must be seen through the middleof the rear Sight notch ,

the top being on a line with thetop of the notch . Care must be taken not to cant thepistol to either Side.

FIG. 2 3.— Pistol, Normal S 1gh t . FIG . 2 4 .

— P istol Sighting Rest .


If the principles of a iming have not been taught , thesoldier ’s instruction will begin with Sighting drills as

prescribed for the rifle so far as they may be applicable .

The Sighting bar with open sight will be used to teachthe norma l sight and to demonstrate errors likely to becommitted .

133. SIGHTING REST. To construct a Sighting restfor the pistol (Fig. take a piece of wood about 10inches long,

1% inches wide and inches thick .

Shape one end so that it will fit snugly in the handleof the pistol when the magazine has been removed .

Screw or nai l this stick to the top of a post or otherObj ect at such an angle that the pistol, when placed onthe stick

,will be approx imately horizontal . A suitable

Sighting rest for the revolver may be improvised .

134. HOW TOCOCKTHEP ISTOL. The pistol shouldbe cocked by the thumb of the right hand and with theleast possible derangement of the grip . The forefingershould be clear of the trigger when cocking the pistol .Some men have diffi culty at first in cocking the pistolwith the right thumb . This can be overcome by a littlepractice . Jerking the pistol forward while holding theright thumb on the hammer will not be permitted .

135. POSITION AND AIMING DRILLS, DIS

MOUNTED. For this instruction the squad will beformed with an interval of I pace between fi les . Blackpasters to simulate bull ’s-eyes will be pasted Oppositeeach man on the barrack or other wall , from which thesquad is ten paces distant .

The squad being formed as described above , the instructor gives the command , 1 . Raise, 2 . Pistol, and cau


the soldier will return to the position of Raise Pistol.At first , this ex ercise should be ex ecuted with delibera

tion, but gradually the soldier will be taught to catch the

aim quickly and to lose no time in beginning the triggersqueeze and bringing it to the point where the slightestadditiona l pressure will release the sear . ( It has ev enbeen found practicable to d ischarge 5 aimed shots in fiveseconds. )Remarks. In serv ice few opportunities will be of

fered for slow aimed fire with the pistol, or rev olv er,although use will be made of the weapon under circumstances when the accurate pointing and rapid manipulation are of v ita l importance .

In deliv ering a rapid fire, the soldier must keep hiseyes fix ed on the mark and , a fter each shot , begin a

steadily increasing pressure on the trigger, trying at thesame time to get the Sights as nearly on the mark as

possible before the hammer again falls. The great difficulty in quick firing with the pistol lies in the factthat when the front sight is brought upon the mark , therear Sight is often found to be outside the line j oining theeye with the mark. This tendency to hold the pistolobliquely can be ov ercome only by a uniformmanner ofholding and pointing. This uni formity is to be obtainedonly by acquiring a grip which can be taken with certainty each time the weapon is fired . It is this circumstance which makes the position and aiming drills so important . The soldier should constantly practice pointingthe pistol until he acquires the ability to direct it on themark in the briefest interval o f time taking aim and

at close quarters without taking aim,can get pract ica l

results. In other words, the pistol in this exercise may

POSITION INSTRUCTION

be accurately pointed . instead of accurately aimed . In

night firing,pointing the pistol is the on ly method that

can be used and is practical and effective .

Quick Fire Exercise. Being at Raise Pistol Chamberand Magazine empty . Quick Fire Exercise : One.

Lower the forearm until it is nearly horizonta l, pistolpointing at the target . Two. Thrust the pistol forward tothe position of aim

, snapping the pistol j ust before thearm reaches its full ex tension . Then look th rough the

sights to veri fy the pointing. Three. Return to Raise

Pistol and code the pistol.To Drawand fi re Quickly, Snap Shooting. W ith the

squad formed as previously described ex cept that thepistol is in the holster unloaded

,but cocked and locked ,

and the flap, i f any, buttoned , the instructor cautions,Quick Fire Ex ercise, and gives the command , I . Squad, 2 .

Fire. At this command,each soldier

,keeping his eye

on the target , quickly draws his pistol , unlocks the safetywith his right thumb, thrusts the pistol towards the target, squeezes the trigger, and at the same instant theweapon is brought into the line with the eye and theObj ective , increases the pressure, releasing the sear . To

enable the soldier to note error in pointing, the weaponwill be momentarily held in position after the fall of thehammer . Efforts at deliberate aiming in this ex ercisemust be discouraged .

When the soldier has become proficient in the detailsof this ex ercise , it should be repeated at will ; the instructor cautions

,at W ill, quick fire exercise.

To Fire to the Righ t and Left Front, the instructorplaces the squad so that the simulated biill’s-eyes are inturn

,to the right, front and the left front . W ith the

Ioo POSITION INSTRUCTION

squad in one of these positions, the instructor commands ,Raise Pistol, and cautions

,Position and Aiming Drills,

Right (or Left ) Front . The instructor then commands ,I . Squad, 2 . Fire. At the command ,

Fire, the shouldersare turned about 45 degrees to the right (or left ) and

the pistol snapped as in Quick F ire Exercise. In firing tothe le ft front the pistol wil l be in front and to the le ftof the left shoulder . The exercise is to be executed A tWill when the squad has been sufl‘iciently well instructedin deta il.

RANGE:PRACTICE

ing point, exposures being of three to four seconds duration

,depending on the range , with an interva l of three

to fiv e seconds between exposures. If bobbing targetsare impracticable , time is regulated at the“F iring Point .

”

138. AUTOMATIC FIRE. Use Target E'

. Being at

Raise Pistol,pistols locked ; at the command ,

CommenceFiring, unlock and empty the magazine in seven seconds,keeping the arm ex tended . Position is the same as forS low Fire.

139. TRENCH FIRE. Target, two lines of E targets.

The first line is composed of E targets, fiv e yards apart ,one figure for each man firing. The second line is composed oi two figures, one yard apart

,for each man fir

ing, placed in a trench immediately in rear of the figures of the first line . This gives for each firer a groupof three figures, one placed on top at the near edge o fthe trench and the other two in the trench immediatelyin the rear . In case a trench is not available , a rifle pitcan be used . A gutter , sunken road ,

embankment orhedge can be used for this purpose, so long as trench fireis Simulated .

The firing line advances at a wa lk from 100 yards,takes up Double Time at 50 yards from trench

,fires one

Shot at the Double Time when with in 10 yards of thefirst target, continues to the trench and fires the remaining six Shots

,automatic fire

,at the two targets in the

trench in the rear of the first line target .

140. Score. Seven shots will constitute a score . Ex

cept in Slow fire when each shot will be marked as soonas fired , targets will be marked after each man has com!

pleted a score.

RANGE PRACTICE

141. THE DISMOUNTED COURSE will be :

I S l ow f i r e 10 yards, minimumof 1 maximumof 3 scores

2 S l Ow f i r e 2 5 yards, minimumof 1 maximumof 3 Scores

3 Q u ick f i r e 10 yards, minimumof 1 maximumof 3 scores

4 Q u i ck f i r e 2 5 yards, minimumof 1 maximumof 3 scores

5 Automatic fire , 10 yards, minimumof 1 maximumof 3 scores

6 Automatic fire , 2 5 yards, minimumof 1 maximumof 3 scores

7 Trench fire, I run of 7 shots, about eigh tmen at a time

PART III

USE OF THE RIFLE

142. GENERAL MILITARY VOCABULARY.

Battle Sigh t : The position of the rear sight in whichthe leaf is laid down .

Beaten Zone : The space on the ground upon whichthe bullets of the Cone o f Dispersion strike.

Bore : The cylindrical cav ity in the small-arms barrel .Butt : The embankment or other means used to stop

bullets in rear o f a range target . The plura l“butts” isused to designate collectively the parapet , pit and backstop of a group of targets.

Caliber : The interior diameter of a small-arms barrel,

measured between the lands.

Cant : To revolve the barrel of the piece on its ax isto the right or left while aiming.

Combined Sigh ts: The use of more than one sightsetting for different parts of a firing unit to increasethe Beaten Zone .

Cone of Dispersion (Cone of Fi re ) , (Fig. 24a ) : A

term applied to the figure formed in space by the trajectories, considered together , of a series of Shots firedby a body of soldiers at a common obj ectiv e and withthe same rear sight setting.

Danger Space : The sum of the distances at the be

108 MILITARY VOCABULARY

ginning and end of the path of the bullet in which an

Obj ect of giv en height will be struck . S ighting proneat 500 yards, the entire distance is danger space , as thehighest point of the traj ectory is 28 inches. At longranges the danger space at the farther end of the rangea lone is considered . (Fig.

Disappearing Target : A target which is temporarilyexposed to V leW .

Disk, Marking: A staff,with a disk at each end ,

FIG. a4s .— Cone of Dispersion or Cone of Fire.

used by the marker in the pit in signaling the results ofhits on the target .Drift : The lateral dev iation of the bullet caused by

the resistance of the air and the rotation of the bulleton its longer ax is.

Echelon, Order in : In the order in echelon the targets or firing stands are placed one behind another tothe right or le ft and unmasking one anotherfiEmplacement : The Space on the target range allotted

for the position of the target .

Groov es : The spiral channels within the bore of therifle barrel .Lands : Spaces in the bore of the rifle barrel between

the grooves.

Mirage: A word used to designate the heat wav es

1 10 M ILITARY VOCABULARY

ter o f the bull ’s-eye target . Shots in this space have a

value of 5 for targets A ,B

, and C. (Figs. 14, I5, 16 , I7 . )CENTER : The annular division of the bull’s-eye targets

A , B,and C embraced between the bull ’s-eye and the

circumference of the next larger circular d iv ision ofthe target. Shots in this space have a value of 4 .

INNER : The annular div ision of the bull’

s-eye targetsA and B,

outside the Center. Shots in this space havea va lue of 3.

OUTER : The space on the bull’s-eye targets A and B ,

outside the Inner . Shots in this space hav e a v alue of 2SILHOUETTE TARGET : A black or drab silhouette rep

resenting a soldier standing, kneeling or prone . Designated as D

,E

,F

, G,H

, I, and K.

D : Black Silhouette of Prone Soldier in middle of6’x 6 ’

Target.E : Drab silhouette of Kneeling Soldier.

F : Drab silhouette of Prone Soldier . (Fig. 1ga . )G,H

,I and K are v aried arrangements of E and F .

Telescopic Sigh t : A telescope or other magnifyingdevice attached to the barrel of the rifle , for getting,

whi le aiming, a better definition of a distant obj ectiv e ,provision being made for adjustments in elevation and

for windage .

Trajectory : The path described by a bullet in the air

moving under the combined influences of the forceof propulsion , the force of grav ity , and the resistanceof the air. (Fig.

Twist : The spiral formed by the groov es in thebarrel of a rifled piece . In both Rifles

,Models 1903

and 19 17 , this twist is uniform,one turn in 10 inches.

Windage : The influence of the wind in deflecting the

M ILITARY VOCABULARY 1 1 1

bullet from the point at which it is a imed ; also appliedto the amount of change made on the wind gage .

Wind Gage : A graduated attachment on the rearof the rifle (Model 1903 ) by which allowance maybe made for the effect, in aiming,

”

of the wind upon thebullet

, and for drift .143. TERRAINE VOCABULARY.

Cover : -A feature of the ground affording concealment or protection from enemy .

Eminences: CLIFF : H igh steep rock .

CREST : Top of slope .

H ILL : A medium Sized eminence .

KNOLL : A low hill standing alone .

PAss z A gap in a ridge or line of hills.

RIDGE : An elevation with slopes on both sides.

SADDLE : A shallow dip in a ridge .

SPUR : A ridge running out from a slope .

Land : ARABLE LAND : Land under cultivation .

CLEARING : Open land in a wood .

FENCING : Structure enclosing land .

GORGE : A rugged deep ravine .

HOLLOW : A depression in the ground .

MARSHLAND : Low- lying wet land at times cov eredwith water .

PASTURE : Grass land .

PLATEAU : An elevated lev el of land.

PLOUGHED LAND :QUARRY : A stone pit .RAVINE : A deep narrow va lley,

SLOPE : An incline .

H ollow ( concave ) SlopeBulging ( convex ) slope

1 1 2 M ILITARY VOCABULARY

Gentle SlopeSteep slopeOpposite slope

,inclining downward toward the

serv er.Forward slope, inclining downward from ob

serv er .

Right slope , inclining downward to the right .Left slope

,inclining downward to the left.

Reverse slope, inclining downward to the rear.

VALLEY : A space between hills.

Profile : An outline or contour .

Railroads : BRIDGE : A roadway structure spanninga ravine, road , water course , etc .

CUT (or Cutting) : An excav ation for a rai lway orroad .

EMBANKMENT : Earth banked up for a railway or

road .

GRADE CROSSING : On the same level as roadway.

SIGNAL Box : A building on rai lroad for s1gnaling.

VIADUCT : A series of rrying a roadway.

Roads : BRIDGE : ( See RaiCAUSEWAY : A raised roadCROSS-ROADS : A point where one road crosses an

other.

CUT : ( See Rai lroads. )EMBANKM ENT : (See Rai lroads. )JUNCTION OF ROADs : FORK— where roads meet with

out crossmg.

PATH 1

SUNKEN ROAD : An ex cavated roadway.

VIADUCT : ( See Ra1lroads. )

1 14 MILITARY VOCABULARY

his will . It pertains especial ly to the technica lities immediately involved in delivery of fire.

Fire Direction : Or Employment of Fire , is a generalterm embracing the various steps, including tactica l disposition , which enable the commander of one or moreunits to bring an effective fire to bear upon the desiredtarget at the proper time . It pertains especially to preparation oi fire .

Fire Discipline is that condition of the personnelof a fire tmitfi esulting from training and practice

,which

enables the commander to obta in an orderly and effi

cient delivery of fire .

Gallery Practice : Short range firing as a par t of theprogressive course between the position instruction and

the outdoor range practice . There is no advantage in

ga llery practice at more than one distance . Fi fty feet isthe greatest distance at which the firer can pla inly see

the hit on the target . The targets can be proportioned80 as to simulate the firing at any distance .

Rapid Fire : That class of fire employed in instruction and qualification practice in which a time limit isset for completing a score or scores.

SlowFire : That class of fire employed in instructionand record practice in which no time limit is imposedfor completing a score .

145 . CLASSES OF FIRE BY RATE.

Rapid Fire : 10 to 20 shots per minute .

SlowFire : 1 to 6 shots per minute .

146. CLASSES OF FIRE BY DIRECTION. (Fig.

Conv erging Fire : Fire aimed at one target from dif

ferent points.

MILITARY VOCABULARY

Enfilade Fire: F ire which sweeps a line of troops ordefenses from~ a flank .

f

Frontal Fire: F ire which is delivered directly to theront .Grazing Fire : When the angle o f the fall of the bul

lets ( see Traj ectory ) is the same as the slope of theground and the missi les sweep along its surface , the fireis called Grazing.

Indirect Fire : Indirect fire is fire directed by meansof aux iliary a iming-marks at an Obj ective which is invisible to tho firer.

Masked Fire : Troops (guns or rifles) in a positionwhence they could employ fire effectively against an

enemy,but fdr the fear of causing casualties to their

comrades,are said to hav e their fire masked by these

latter troops.

Oblique Fire : F ire directed on a target in a slantingdirection

,i . e . not directly to the front .

Rev erse Fire : Fire SO directed that the bullets strikethe target in rear .

147 . CLASSES OF FIRE BY RESULT.

Collective Fire : The fire of several rifles combinedfor a definite purpose under the orders of a fire-leader .

Such fire skillfully directed and well controlled mayproduce good effect up to 1400 yards.

Concentrated Fire : F ire of a unit concentrated on

a point of the target , such as the position of a machinegun .

( I ) Used for observ ation .

( 2 ) Used for local effect on a particular part of

the enemy’

s line .

Fire of Position : Infantry is said to ex ecute F ire of

1 16 MILITARY VOCABULARY

Position when it is posted SO as to assist in an attackby firing over the heads or Off the flank of the attackingtroops and is not itself to engage in the advance , or when ,

in defense,it is similiarly posted to augment the fire of

the ma in firing line .

Indiv idual Fire : Fire opened without orders froma fire- leader . On account of the difficulty of observation

,600 yards may be taken as the limit of effectiv e

fire of this nature aga inst small targets.

Mutual Supporting Fire is the supporting fire of unitsadvancing alternately by rushes.

The supporting unit must av oid endangermg the unitbeing supported and not delay its own advance, as ad

v ancing is usua lly the best means of support.Pursuing Fire : A t a receding enemy .

Searching Fire is the term applied to collectiv e fire

when the depth of its dispersion over a beaten zone is increased by the use of combined Sights.

Sweeping Fire is fire distributed laterally .

Surprise Fire : Unexpected and demora lizing.

Surprise fire, consistmg of Bursts of Fire instead ofcontinuous fire, is often used to demoralize the enemy .

1 18 LOADING AND FIRING COMMANDS

Note. The command Load should precede v olley firing. A fter first v olley soldiers reload without command .

To Continue the Firing: I . Aim; 2 . Company ; 3 .

(2 ) TO Fire at Will : Fire at Will .Note. That class of fire normally employed in attack

or defense . It is often advisable to giv e the numberof rounds to be fired before giving the command .

To increase (and decrease) the Rate of Fire: Faster(Slower) .3 ) To .Fire by Clip : Clip Fire.

Note. Executed in the same manner as Fire at Willexcept that each man

,after having exhausted the cart

ridges then in the rifle , suspends firing.

Clip fire has limited application . It is principa lly used(a ) In the early stage of the combat , to steady the

men by habituating them to brie f pauses in firing.

(b ) To produce a Short burst of fire.

(4 ) TO Suspend Firing : Suspend Firing, or a longblast of the whistle .

Note. F iring stops ; pieces are held ,loaded and locked ,

in a position of readiness for instant resumption of firing,rear sights unchanged . The men continue to observ e thetarget or aiming place , or the place at which the targetdisappeared or at which it is expected to reappear .

5) TO Cease Firing : Cease Firing.

Note. F iring stops ; pieces not a lready there are

brought to the Position of Load ; those not loaded, areloaded ; Sights are laid down

,pieces are locked and

brought to the Order .

Cease Firing is used for long pauses , to prepare forchanges of posit ion , or to steady the men .

LOADING AND FIRING COMMANDS 1 19

Commands for suspending or ceasing fire may be givenat any time after the prepara tory command for firing,

whether the firing has actually commenced or not . A

long blast of the whistle (as for Suspend Firing) maybe used as a preliminary to Cease Firing.

(6 ) Complete Firing Command. The following is an

example o f one form of a complete firing command ,in

cluding Target Designation .

Range, 1100 Reference Point , that clump Of trees on

hill-crest ; Target, at 4 O’clock , 2 sigh ts, a gun pit ; Fire

at Will.152. FIRING COMMANDS BY ARM SIGNALS.

Range : To announce range , ex tend the arm towardthe leaders or men for whom the signal is intended , fistclosed ; by keeping the fist closed ,

Battle S ight is indicated ; by opening and closing the fist, ex pose thumb and

fingers to a number equal to the hundreds of yards ; toadd 50 yards describe a short horizonta l line with forefinger .

TO change Elevation, indicate the amount of increaseor decrease by fingers as above ; point upward to indicate increase and downward to indicate decrease .

What range are you using! or What is the range!

Ex tend the arms toward the person addressed,one hand

open , palm to the front , resting on the other hand , fistclosed .

Are you ready ! or I amready : Raise the hand,fin

gers ex tended and j oined,pa lm toward the person ad

dressed .

Commence Firing: Move the arm ex tended in fulllength , hand palm down, several times through a hori

1 20 LOADING AND FIRING COMMANDS

zontal arc in front of the body . This command by handor bugle is equivalent to Fire at Will.Fire Faster : Ex ecute rapidly the Signal Commence

Fire Slower : Execute slowly the Signal CommenceFiring.

TO swing the cone Of fire to the righ t or left : Ex

tend the arm in full length to the front, palm to the righ t( le ft ) ; swing the arm to the right ( left ) and poin tin the direction of the new target.Fix Bayonet : S imulate the mov ement of the right

hand in Fix Bayonet.Suspend Firing: Raise and hold the forearm steadily

in a horizontal position in front of the forehead,palm

of the hand to the front .

Cease Firing : Raise the forearmas in Suspend Firinga

f

md swing it up and down several t imes in front of theace.

Platoon : Extend the arm horizontal ly toward the

platoon leader ; describe sma ll circles with the hand .

Squad : Ex tend the arm horizontally toward the platoon leader ; swing the hand up and down from the wrist.Rush (Same as Double Time) : Carry the hand to

the shoulder ; rapidly thrust the hand upward the fullex tent of the arm sev eral times.

The signals P latoon and S quad are intended pri

mari ly for communication between the captain and his

platoon leaders. The signal Platoon or Squad indicatesthat the Platoon Commander is to cause the signal whichfollows to be executed by platoons or squad .

1 22 ESTIMATING D ISTANCE

(4 ) Judge by visibility conditions.

N ote. Underestimate rather than overestimate .

When a target is indistinct , distance is apt to be ov erestimated .

When a target is distinct , distance is apt to be underestimated .

Objects seem farther :(a ) When obj ects are of the same color or when color

harmonizes with background ;(b ) On broken ground ;( c ) When seen across a va lley or undulating ground ;

In av enues,long streets or ravines ;

( C ) When in Shadow( f ) When viewed in mist or fa iling light ;(g) When heat is rising from the ground ;(h ) When seen near any other obj ect which makes

it appear smaller than it is by the effect o f comparison ;( i ) When only partially seen , as in the case of troops

firing from cover ;( j ) Troops kneeling or lying in the Open seem farthe r

away than when standing ;(k ) When looking from low ground up towards high

er ground .

Objects seem nearer :

(a ) When both obj ect and background are of different or contrasting colors ;(b ) When the sun is behind the Observ er ;(c ) In bright light or clear atmosphere ;

When the intervening ground is lev el or cov eredwith snow ;( e ) . When seen across water or a deep chasm;( f ) When looking downwards ;

ESTIMATING DISTANCE 1 23

(g) When the Obj ect is large , or when seen near anyother object which makes it appear larger than it is byeffect of comparison .

Note. As bright light makes obj ects seem nearer than

FIG. 116.— Front Sight Method for Estimating Ranges.

Rifle , Model 1903.

they rea lly are, and dull light, farther, a conv enient genera l rule is“Lights up ,

”“S ights up .

Lights down ,“S ights down .

1 24 ESTIMATING DISTANCE

154. BY FRONT SIGHT METHOD.

In the Position of Aim,observ e howmany times the

height of the front sight a standing soldier appears to

FIG. 26a.—Front Sight Method for Estimating Ranges.

Rifle, Model 19 1 7 .

126 ESTIMATING DISTANCE

156. BY RANGE CARDS.

( I ) For Attack (Fig.

( 2 ) For Defense (Fig.

Enemy’

s Position

(2000)

( 1500)

aim FarmHouse ( 7100)

2000 Gross roads (0)

FIG. 2 7 .— Range-Card for A ttack.

Note .— The distances on the le ft are those from the enemyzs position .

Those on the right in pa ren theses are on ly for the range-taker s 1n forma

tion , and should not be shown on the card , to av oxd con fuswn .

157 . RY MARKING RANGES. Roman numera ls forhundreds of yards are used .

M arks should be visible only to the defense and onefoot in height for each 100 yards of range , and are

placed :( 1 ) ON GROUND ( such as on banks) .

( 2 ) ON TREES .

(3 ) ON BUILDINGS .

ESTIMATING DISTANCE 1 2 7

FIG. 28.— Range-Card for Defense.

Note.—The int from which ranges are taken (A ) should always be

escribed clearly on the card to facilitate setting it.

158. BY THE MIL SYSTEM . The true M il 15 an an

gular measurement ( 3' whose natural tangent is

of the radius , but, for the sake of conv enience ,the M il 1s commonly taken as of a circle .

The Mil Scale. (Fig. A mil scale may be madeby marking inches on a pencil stick or piece of cardboard , and div iding the inches mto tenths. An inch ona mil sca le, when held 20 inches from the eye, equals 50mils and cov ers of the range, or,

50 yards at 1000 yards.

2 5 yards at 500 yards.

20 yards at 400 yards, etc.

1 28 ESTIMATING DISTANCE

A string 20 inches long,with one end fastened to the

center of the scale and the other end held in the tee th ,

is conv enient for obta ining the distance of 20 inch esfromthe eye .

FIG. 2 9 .— M il Scale.

Div ided into inches and tenths of inches with a string 2 0 inches longfastened at the center.

The Ordnance Department issues a combination M ilRule and Aux iliary Rear-sight Scale in the form of a

Musketry Rule , with which an angle may be measuredin mils or in terms of the scale on the rifle sight . The

rule is of aluminum, 494 inches x I% inches, marked for

300 mi ls and has the formulas giv en in this section onthe back .

To Find the Range by the Mil System.

FORMULA 2

(W idth or height in yds. ) XIOOO

M (number of M ils)

EXAMPLE : A house is estimated to be 30 ft . , or 10 yds.,

long, ( j udging from the size of the door and windows, )and ex tends 2 5 mils on the M il Scale (when held 20

inches from the eye ) then ,

ESTIMATING DISTANCE

200 yards X 1000

—2 50 M ils.

Common Unit of Measure. (Fig. 29a . ) One inch on

the M il scale,held 20

” from the eye , or 1 sight lea fat 1394 fromthe eye , or 1 Finger Breadth at the properpredetermined distance from the eye

,each covers 50

FIG. zoa .-Units of Measure.

mils on the landscape , which width is equal to ofthe range at all ranges, for example , at 1000 yards itequa ls 50 yards. For convenience and accuracy (as thesoldier always has his rifle ) the rear sight is usua lly usedex cept in cases of emergency . Measures in M ils shoulda lways be translated into“S ights” before being given to

the soldier.

CHAPTER III

DESIGNATION AND RECOGNITION OF

TARGETS

Among the systems used for designating targets are

the following :

159. FEATURE-OF-GROUND SYSTEM . By the Feature System, in designating a target (which is often a

minor feature of the landscape ) , the description should

Fro . 3o.— Feature of Ground System.

Example A . Range , 9 50 ; Re ference Poin t, Red Barn ; Target, Gate ina ll (T 1 ) , at R1ght of Ba rn .

Example B. Range, 92 5 ; Reference Point, Red Barn ; Target, Tree (T2 )at Left of Barn .

1 32 TARGET DESIGNATION AND RECOGNITION

begin with the principa l point,named the Reference

Point,” fromwhich the target is located . (Fig. A ll

these descriptions precede the firing commands.

160. HORIZONTAL CLOCK-FACE SYSTEM ( or H . C .

F (Fig. Imagine a clock face lying horizontalwith its center at the firing point, and 1 2 o ’

clock directlyto the front .161 . VERTICAL CLOCK-FACE SYSTEM (or V . C .

F (Fig. Imagine a clock face hanging vertica llywith its face at right angles to the line of v ision , and its

FIG. 3 1 .— Horizontal Clock Face System.

Example A . Range, 800 ; Target, at 1 1 o’

clock, a Trench (T 1 ) .

Example B . Range, 1 050 ; Target, at 1 o’

clock, a House (T2 ) .

134 TARGET DESIGNATION AND RECOGNITIO N

162. MIL (SIGHT OR FINGER) SYSTEM . D is

tances in the landscape in any direction from the Re fe rence Point

, a lso the width of the target may be designated

FIG. 33 .

— M il System.

Example A . Range, 1 2 00 ; Reference Point , Cross Road (R1 ) ; Target,1 50 Mils, left , a Thicket (T 1 ) .

Example B .Range, 1 050 ; Reference Point, Cross Road (R 1 ) ; Target,

100 Mils, right, a Battery (T2 ) .

Example C. Range , 97 5 ; Re ference Point, Bottom of Tree on Ridge

Target , 1 00 M 118 , below, a Shell Hole (T3 )

( a ) By M i ls. (Fig.

(b ) By S ights. (Fig. 332 )( c ) By Finger W idths. (Fig. 33a . )

By Sigh t System. The soldier marks a pointon the stock of his rifle from the rear sight (assuming the rear sight leaf is 1 1 16” wide

,which is the

case on both the Model 1903 and Model W ith

TARGET DESIGNATION AND RECOGNITION 1 35

h is eye above this point,the width of the rear sight

( called a S ight”

) then covers 50 mils of the landscape .

( Fig. 33a . ) This is the most practical and convenientsystem for the enlisted man and should always be usedex cept in an emergency .

Fro . 33a .

Example A . Range, 1 300 ; Reference Poin t , at 1 2 o’

clock, Cross Roads(R 1 ) ; Target , 10 o

’

clock, 2 Sights, is the left of an enemy ’s line ,1 S ight long (T 1 ) .

Exampge B . Range, 1 050 ; R eference Point , at 1 2 o

’

clock, Cross RoadsTarget, at 3 o

’

clock , 2 Fingers, a Battery (T 2 ) .

Example C . Range , 1 000 ; Reference Point at o’

clock , bottom oftree on ridge ( R2 ) ; Target, at 6 o

’

clock, 2 Fingers, a Shell Hole ( T3 ) .

By Finger Width System. As a substitute for M i lsor S ight widths , the Finger may be used ,

held in frontof the eye at such a distance that the width of oneFinger covers the same amount of landscape as the

width of 50 M ils or one S ight . (See Common Unit ofMeasure, Section Tomake thismethod effectiv e , the

136 TARGET DESIGNATION AND RECOGNITION

soldier should find a means of always placing the fingerat the same distance from the eye

,which must be pre

determined by experiment. (Fig. 33a . )Note. S imi larly

,anything,

such as a whistle , held inlike manner at a predetermined distance from the eye ,

may be used as equiva lent for determining M ils or sigh twidths on the landscape . The whistle chain or cord can

be adjusted to giv e the proper distance .

163. COMBINED SYSTEMS. The abov e systemsare often combined .

EXAMPLE : Range, 1100; Reference Point, that clumpof trees on h ill crest ; Target, at 4 o

’clock, 2 Sigh ts, a

gun pit.

164. AUXILIARY AIMING POINT. (Fig. If

the target cannot be seen with the naked eye,platoon

leaders select an obj ect in front of or behind it , designatethis as the aiming point , and direct a sight setting whichwill carry the cone of fire into the target . ( I. D . R . )Note. To determine the elev ation to use with the

Aux iliary A im Point in order to reach the real target ,when the range of the rea l target is known :W ith the Model 1903, hold an inv erted rear sight ,

from the eye * and with the Model 19 17 , 32V2”

from the eye (wh ich is the sight base length , or thedistance between the front and rear sights) , and at

a distance from the ground at which the rifle will be heldwhen firing ; then with the dri ft slide , set at the knownrange of the target and the sight notch or peep holeheld on a line between the eye and the target, note the

The distance, from the rear sight is a point about193 back of the heel of the butt on the Model 1903.

1 38 TARGET DESIGNATION AND RECOGNITION

Fm. 35 .— S tudy and Description of Ground

C . Gentl'e slope.

D . Steep slope.

be set to carry the cone of fire into the target when aiming at the aux i liary“a iming point .The Musketry Rule ( Sec. I 58 ) is conv enient for this

purpose .

165. INSTRUCTION PRACTICE.

Note. A progressively shortened time allowance

TARGET DESIGNATION AND RECOGNITION 1 39

should be given for practice under the following instruction as facility increases.

( 1 ) Study and Description of Ground. ( See Fig. 3

(a ) Foreground , M iddle D istance and Back-Ground ;(b ) Principal features accurately and briefly described

as per mil itary v ocabulary j ust preceding ;( c ) M inor features near some principal feature.

2 ) Marking Down Enemy.

(a ) Close range by individual soldiers.

(b ) Long range by F ire Unit Commanders.

( 3 ) Discernment and Description of Targets.(a ) State the clear and unmistakable feature of the

landscape that is nearest the target ;(b ) Then nearer features with direction from first

feature . A llow plenty of time a fter mentioning eachfeature before stating the nex t .Note. In firing commands, the target description is

preceded by the designation of the range in yards, uponhearing which the soldiers are expected to adjust theirsights. It is of the utmost importance that ample timebe giv en for this purpose , before starting to designatethe target . Fai lure to do this is l ikely to result in( a ) The soldier not following the dcscription .

(b ) Forgetting part of description while adjus tingsights.

( c ) Losing target and failing to find it again.

CHAPTER IV

FIRE DIRECTION AND CONTROL

166. THE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS ARE

(a ) Good indication of Targets ( clear, concise, deliberate ) .

(b ) Immediate and accurate recognition of Targets.

(c) Prompt and efficient placing of fire .

Note. The soldiers must be instructed that unless theyclearly recognize the target described , they must rema inat Ready. This avoids waste of fire and shows the fireunit commander i f he has not been understood .

Remember that however skillful indiv idual men maybe as marksmen

,the greatest efl

’ect is produced by their

fire only when it is efficiently directed and controlled.

167. DUTIES OF FIRE COMMANDER OR PLATOON

LEADER. F ire is directed by a Fire Commander (usua llycommissioned ofl

‘icer ) who1 . Executes orders and in lieu of orders handles his

unit effectiv ely, and with proper consideration for itssafety .

2 . A llots S ectors .

3 . Repeats, or determines and directs,sight settings.

(See note below . )4. Designates target. When necessary

,selects an

Aux i liary A iming Point with specia l sight setting forsame .

142 FIRE DIRECTION AND CONTROL

18. When coming up with reinforcements, is ready to

take command of the unit he j oins, i f necessary .

19 . Leads in adv ancing and charging, and when inThin lines, leads the odd numbered line .

Note. Combined sights are usedIn estimating distance by results of fire.

To overcome error in estimating distance .

Aga inst advancing enemy , to keep him covered as

he advances, changing farthest sighting at the necessa ryinterva ls. A t over 1000 yards the probable error in estimating range is such that a single sighting will probablyprove ineffective .

Combined sights will not usually be employed by lessthan two platoons.

168. DUTIES OF A PLATOON GUIDE.

1 . H e acts as assistant to the F i re Commander (Platoon Leader ) and takes his place or the place of disabledsergeants when necessary .

2 . When he leav es his position for any cause , he notifies the senior corporal . He watches the firing line and

adjoining units.

3 . He preserv es fire discipline and prev ents men fromleav ing the ranks for any reason .

4 . H e assists in the adv ance and leads the ev en numbered lines in“Advancing by thin lines.

”

5. H e must understand all signals and the semaphorecode.

169. DUTIES OF FIRE UNIT COMMANDER OR

CORPORAL.

F ire is control led by a Fire Un it Commander who1 . Receiv es his orders from the Platoon Leader and

sees that all orders are promptly passed and carried out.

FIRE DIRECTION AND CONTROL 143

2 . Indicates the target and the portion to be fired on ,

by his squad ,and sees that the squad fires not only on

the designated target , but on all portions of it equally .

3. Announces sigh t setting and supervises same .

4. Announces class and rate of fire, sees that the sameis mainta ined , especially during changing of sights, preparation for rushes, distribution of ammunition ,

etc . , and

increases same when other units which hav e the sametarget are rushing.

5. When his squad is ready to commence firing,sig

nals,

“I amready

”

(by raising the hand, fingers ex tendedand j oined , palmtoward the person addressed . See

“Fir

ing Commands by Arm S ignals”

)6. Observ es constantly (a ) The effect of fire and (b )

the mov ements of the enemy, and looks to the rear onlywhen signaled by the whistle of the platoon leader .

7 . Reports to platoon commanders when ammunition isrunning short

,prev ents waste of same , issues and redis

tributes ammunition . Sees that his men obtain ammunition fromwounded and dead , and sees that the men keep30 rounds in the right pocket section of the belt as a re

serv e , to be expended only when ordered by an officer .

8 . In rushing, sees that all his men rush simultaneously as soon as possible after the command ,

“Cease

Firing, drop to the ground in line, and in such a locationas to make the best use o f cov er

, without blanketing thefire of or endangering other units, and open fire immediately . ( In rushing, the Corpora l is the center skirmisher , and in halting he lies down immediately in rear ofhis squad. The Corporal does not fire with his squadex cept to steady them or unless ordered to do so. )


9. Preserv es fire discipline, steadies his men and pr e

vents any from leaving the line for any reason .

10. When reenforcing, takes ov er the duties of disabled squad leaders of adjacent squads, or assists themi f they are not disabled .

1 1 . When leav ing his position for any reason , notifiesthe priv ate designated to take his place and informs theentire squad of such action .

1 2 . Must know all signals, and the semaphore code .

13. Changes his position behind the line by rollingov er with the rifle held closely against his body .

Note. Ex tended order results in fewer casualties and

less fire effect .Specially guard flanks.

Enfilade and Oblique fire are effectiv e against shieldedartillery .

170. DUTIES OF THE PRIVATE. The soldier shouldlearn toI . Obey orders exactly and promptly .

2 . Recognize targets quickly.

3. Describe targets clearly by various methods.

4 . Promptly set sights, upon order .

5. A im carefully, fire deliberately and reload rapidly .

6 . Continually observ e his sector or target , especiallywhen fire is suspended .

7 . Make good use of natural, artificia l and accidental

cov er as trees, ditches, or shell holes and the best firingpositions as standing, kneeling, sitting, or lying down .

8 . Obey no whistle signals ex cept signa l to suspendfiring.

9. Put himself under command of nearest squad leader


out by the soldier, as accuracy must not be lost th roughspeed .

171. FIRE DISCIPLINE. Important General Poin ts.

1 . In collective fire no man will fire until he clea r lyrecogn izes the target described by his commander , or inindividua l firing without selecting a definite target .

2 . As a rule fire should be delivered deliberately, and

each man must always satisfy himsel f that every time h esqueezes the trigger he will hit the target aimed at.

3 . If“F i re at will” is ordered , every man will fire at

his own best rate for combining rapidity with accuracy .

4 . Each man will take care to pass orders carefullyand accurately.

5. Each man will make the best use o f ground and

cov er , primarily to increase fire effect,and secondarily

for concealment and protection . H e must remember thatthe most important requirement , when firing frombehindcov er , is the ability of a man to use his rifle to the bestadv antage , and that his eyes must be kept on the enemybetween shots to av oid losing sight of targets.

6. Each man must watch the front and remain alert

and attentiv e while awaiting orders . H e must open fire

smartly when ordered to do so on such fleeting targets as

troops in mov ement, and continue firing,unless otherwise

ordered, while they present a fav orable target.

7 . H e must , when employing ind ividua l fire on thedefensiv e , especially at shorter ranges, mark down troopsby noting their position on the ground or behind cov er,

and open fire the moment they expose themselv es or rise

up to adv ance.

8 . When not under direct control of a fire commandermen should try to work in pairs, indicating targets, esti

FIRE DIRECTION AND CONTROL 147

mating ranges for each other and observ ing the results ofeach other

’

s fire .

9 . If incapacitated from advancing and firing, a manshould always place ammunition in a conspicuous place ,ready to be picked up by others, and all men should al

ways be on the lookout to renewtheir ammunition supplyin thisway.

CHAPTER V

NIGHT FIRING

In Oflense it is nev er used . It is not only useless butabsolutely crimina l . The bayonet is the weapon that decides the issue .

In Defense, when a night attack is apprehended ,prepa

ration should be made to sweep with fire the ground immediately in front

,over which the assa ilant must ad

v ance . Wait until the enemy is within 30 yards,then

ev ery rifle should be fired once followed immediatelyby a bayonet charge .

The methods employed in order of their importanceare I

172. (a) INSTINCTIVE ALIGNMENT OF RIFLES.

Train the soldier 1n pointing his rifle at a mark near theground within 100 yards with the eyes closed . The righteye is then opened and error noted . Thus a soldierlearns his error and how to correct it .A white rag wrapped about the muzzle of the rifle

will o ften assist in aiming.

173. (b) FIXED RIFLE RESTS prepared in adv ance .

174. (0) BY PREPARED ILLUMINATING AIMINGMARKS giv ing a horizontal line of sight .

175. BY FIRING AT THE FLASHES of the cuemy

’

s rifles.

CHAPTER VII

THE USE OF COVER

179. GENERAL REMARKS. The recruit should be

given careful instruction in the individual use of cover .

It should be impressed upon him that , in taking adv an

tage of natural cover , he must be able to fire easi ly and

effectiv ely upon the enemy ; i f advancing on an enemy ,

he must do so steadi ly and as rapidly as possible ; hemust concea l himself as much as possible while firing and

while adv ancing. While setting his sight, he should be

und er cov er or lying prone .

180. FIRING FROM COVER. To teach him to fire

easi ly and effectively ,at the same time concea ling himsel f

from the v iew of the enemy,he is practised in simulated

firing in the prone , sitting,and kneeling positions, from

beh ind trees, heaps of earth or rocks, from depressions,gullies, ditches, doorways, or windows. He is taught tofire around the right side of his concealment wheneverpossible , or, when th is is not possible , to rise enough tofire ov er the top of his concea lment .181 . SELECTING COVER. When the deta i ls are nu

derstood, he is required to select cover with reference toan assumed enemy and to place himself behind it inproper position for firing.

182. CHANGING COVER. The evil in remaining too150

THE USE OF COVER 15 1

long in one place , however good the concealment,should

be explained . He should be taught to advance fromcover to cov er, selecting cov er in adv ance before leav ingh is concealment.It should be impressed upon h im that a man running

rapidly toward an enemy furnishes a poor target . H e

should be trained in springing from a prone position behind concealment, running at top speed to cov er and

throwing himself behind it. H e should also be practisedin advancing from cover to cover by crawling, or by lying on the left side , rifle grasped in the left hand , and

pushing himself forward with the right leg,or by rolling

over with the rifle held close aga inst the body.

H e should be taught that when fired on while actingindependently, he should drop to the ground , seek cov er,and then endeav or to locate his enemy .

The instruction of the recruit in the use of cover iscontinued in the *

combat ex ercises of the company,but

he must then be taught that the proper advance of theplatoon or company and the effectiveness of its fire are of

greater importance than the question of cov er for indiv iduals. He should a lso be taught that he may not moveabout or shift his position in the firing line except thebetter to see the target .183. GOOD COVER. Good cov er , which , however,

will v ery rarely be found , will combine the followingadvantages :(a ) Affords a clear v iew up to the enemy’

s position .

(b) Permits the free use of the rifle .

( c ) Prov ides protection for him from the enemy ’

s

(.

d ) Giv es concealment to the firer .

1 52 THE USE or COVER

Example , A DOW SOLID STONE WALL WITH A CONVEN

IENT OPENING.

184. POOR COVER.

(a ) Gives a restricted v iew of the enemy’

s posit ion .

(b ) Restricts the free use of the rifle .

(c) Offers a well-defined target for the enemy’

s fire

and prov ides no protection from its effect.Example, A H EDGE OR EDGE OF A WOOD.

APPENDIX

U. S . MAGAZ INE RIFLE , MODEL 1 898

(Sometimes called the Kraag. )

185. NOMENCLATURE. This rifle is composed of87 parts, the most important of which are shown inFigs. 36 and 37 .

186. THE ASSEMBLED PARTS AND THEIR OPERATIONS. Most Of the Operating parts may be includedunder the Bolt M echan ism and the Magazine Mechanism.

The Bolt Mechan ism consists Of the bolt , sleeve,ex

tractor , ex tractor rivet , safety lock,firing pin ,

striker ,and main spring.

The Bolt moves backward and forward and rotates inthe well hole Of the receiver ; it carries a cartridge , eitherfrom the magazine or one placed by hand in front Of it ,into the chamber and supports its head when fired . The

locking lug will sustain any powder pressure liable to

Occur,but i f worn by usage or upset by excessive pres

sures the rear end Of the guide rib will bear on the locking shoulder Of the receiver

,permitting the continued

use of the armwith sa fety .

The Sleev e unites the parts of the bolt mechanism;its rotation with the bolt is prevented by its arm occupying the Opening between the wa lls Of the receiver .

1 55

1 56 U. S . MAGAZINE RIFLE, MODEL 1898

The hook of the Extractor engages the rim of the

cartridge case and retains the head Of the latter in the

countersink of the bolt until the case is ej ected . The

ex tractor spring,engaging its lip on the receiv er

,pre

vents the hook from releasing the rim of the cartridgecase , when the latter is being started from the chamber .

The ex tractor pin holds the bolt Open for conv enience inloading when using single- loader fire .

The Safety Lock , when turned to the left , is inopera~

tive ; when turned to the right , the point Of its spind leenters the notch in the bolt collar and locks the bolt . If

turned to the right when the piece is cocked ,its cam

forces the firing pin slightly to the rear , out of contactwith the sear

,so that , i f the trigger be pulled ,

the sea r,

when the trigger is released , can rise to catch the firingpin

,thereby preventing accidental discharge . If turned

to the right , when the piece is not cocked , it locks thefiring pin as well as the bolt .

The gun having been discharged , to remove the emptycartridge case , reload and fire, the bolt mechanism Operates as follows :To Open the Bolt, raise the handle until it comes into

contact with the sleeve , then pull it directly to the rearunti l the locking lug strikes the locking shoulder of thereceiver .

Raising the handle rotates the bolt . This separates thelocking lug from the shoulder of its recess in the receiv er ,with which it is brought into close contact by the powderpressure . This separation is made easy by the slightinclination to the ax is of the receiver of the v erticalplanes containing the rear surface of the locking lug andthe shoulder of its recess.

158 U. s. MAGAZINE RIFLE, MODEL 1898

strikes the cocking shoulder, then turn it down until itcomes into contact with its seat in the receiver. As thehandle is turned down

,the rear end of the guide rib

traveling a long the cam of the locking shoulder of thereceiver

,will move the bolt forward until the locking

lug comes into contact with the cam‘

Of its recess in thereceiver, which moves the bolt slightly forward into itsclosed position . A s all movement Of the firing pin isprev ented by the point Of the sear engaging the searnotch of the cocking piece, the forward movement Of

the bolt,produced by these cams

,completes the com

pression of the ma in spring, seats the cartridge in the

chamber, and forces the ex tractor hook over the rim Ofthe cartridge case .

In closing the bolt, a cartridge from the magazine , i fusing magazine fire, or one placed by hand in the wello f the receiver in front of the bolt, will be carried forward into the chamber. The Gun is then ready to befired .

The posit ion then occupied by the parts is shown inFig. 36.

When the bolt is rotated so the guide rib is under theex tractor

,the front end of the guide rib engages a lug

on the underside of the ex tractor and holds the latteragainst the le ft wa l l of the receiver so the hook

,as the

bolt is closed , will enter its notch in the receiv er and

barrel .To Pull the Trigger, the finger-piece must be drawn

to the rear until contact with the receiver is transferredfrom its bearings to the heel , which giv es a creep to thetrigger, and then until the point of the sear 18 withdrawn from in front of the cocking piece.

U. s. MAGAZINE RIFLE ,MODEL 1898 159

T he heel of the ej ector rises into its groov e in the bolt ,b u t j ust before the bolt is drawn fully to the rear, theen d Of the groov e suddenly forces the heel down , causing the point to rise in front Of the bolt and strike theca rt ridge case . As the bolt is closed ,

the heel rises againin to its groov e, the curv ed portion Of which permits thebo lt to rotate without Operating the ej ector . The uppersu r face of the front end Of the ej ector is shaped so as

to th row the cartridge case out of the receiv er, upwardand to the right .It 15 to be noted that , in this systemof bolt mechanism,

the compression Of the ma in spring,the seating of the

ca rtridge In and the starting Of the empty case from thechamber , are entirely done by the action Of cams.

The Piece may be Cooked either by raising the bolthandle until it strikes the sleeve and then immediatelyturn ing it down , or by pulling the cocking piece directlyto the rear .

In Firing, unless the bolt handle 15 turned fully downagainst its seat in the receiver

,the cam on the cocking

piece wil l strike that m the rear end Of the bolt and theenergy Of the ma in Spring will be expended in closingthe bolt instead of on the primer ; this prevents the possibility Of a cartridge being fired until the bolt is fullyclosed .

The opening and the closing of the bolt should eachbe done by one continuous motion .

The Magazine Mechan ism includes the gate, carrier,follower , magazine Spring, hinge bar and cut-Ofl".Fig. 37 represents a cross section of the Model 1896

gun, through the point of the ejector ; the bolt 15 closed ,the magazine contains five cartridges and is off .

160 U. S . MAGAZINE RIFLE, MODEL 1898

To Charge the Magazine, open the gate, insert thecartridges from a clip, or from the hand, then closethe gate.

As the gate is Opened ,its lug, acting on the cam of the

carrier,retracts the latter within the recess of the gate ,

leav ing an unobstructed Opening for the insertion of thecartridges. As the gate is closed , the magazine Spring,

the front end of which bears on the lug Of the arbor ofthe carrier

, swings the carrier into the magazine, againstthe last cartridge inserted . The point of the carrierforces the cartridges, in succession

,against and up the

curv ed surface of the sideplate, into the magazine channel . When there is on ly one cartridge in the magazine ,the point o f the carrier forces it up on the top Of the

follower, wh ich holds it high enough in the channel to becaught by the bolt . The point of the carrier then restsagainst the inner surface of the side plate .

When the thumb-piece of the cut-Off in the Model 1896is turned up (Fig. the magazine is

“Off .

”The point

of the spindle then bears on the r im Of the upper cartridge and holds it down in the magazine channel belowthe action of the bolt . The magazine mechanism thenrema ins inoperativ e , and the arm can be used as a sin

gle loader, the cartridges in the magazine being held inreserve.

When the thumb-piece o f the cut-Off,in the Model

1896, is turned down , the magazine is“on .

”The point

o f the spindle then occupies its hole in the upper wall ofthe magazine channel , and permits the top cartridge torise high enough to be caught by the bolt in its forwardmov ement. As the bolt is closed, this cartridge is pushedforward , through the magazine channel and well of the

162 U. S . MAGAZINE RIFLE,MODEL 1898

Off,the thumb-piece of the cut-Off is better protected

when turned down .

The magazine can be charged with the bolt closed or

open,with the cut off turned for magazine or single

loader fire , and i f one or more cartridges have been fired ,

can be filled .

The magazine spring actuates the carrier,holds the

gate Open , assists in closing it , and holds it closed .

The guide lip prevents the heads of the cartridgesfrom falling into the well Of the gate when charging themagazme.

To Open the Butt-plate Cap, insert the rim of an emptycartridge in the notch in the cap and draw it open . The

j oints of the cleaning rod should be removed from theOi ler . In replacing the Oiler and rods, insert the formerso its bottom will be nex t the butt plate, and ,

with one

j oint of the rod, push the Oiler into its seat , then insertthe rods.

187 . DISMOUNTING AND ASSEMBLING BY SOL

DIER. The bolt and magazine mechanism can be dismounted without removing the stock . The latter shouldnever be done ex cept for making repairs, and then onlyby some selected and instructed man .

To Dismount Bolt Mechanism.

1 . Draw the bolt fully to the rear,then place the piece

across hollow Of left arm.

2 . Li ft the front end of hook of ex tractor Off bolt withleft thumb , and at the same time turn bolt handle to leftwith right hand . The bolt can then be drawn from thereceiv er.

3. Take bolt handle in left hand,back of hand down ,

bolt upside down . Grasp cocking piece with right hand .

U. s. MAGAZINE RIFLE,MODEL 1898 163

4 . S lightly draw back cocking piece and turn it toWard the Operator until the firing pin can be removedfrom the bolt .

5. Take firing pin in left hand and bear down on pointOf striker with right thumb until it leaves the firingpin ,

remove main spring from firing pin , and the latterfrom sleeve .

To Assemble Bolt Mechanism.

1 . Observe that the safety lock is turned to the le ft .Reverse the order of the steps Of fifth operation in dismounting.

2 . Grasp the bolt handle in le ft hand as in third operation in dismounting, and the firing pin in right hand ,ex tractor uppermost . Insert firing pin in bolt.3. Grasp handle Of bolt with fingers of both hands,

bolt directed downwards,and with both thumbs On the

rear Of safety lock,push strongly forward and turn to

right with thumbs until the armof the sleeve engages thecollar of the bolt .

4 . Grasp bolt and cocking piece as in third Operationfor dismounting. Draw back and turn cocking piecefrom the Operator until its nose enters the notch on therear end Of the bolt .5. Take bolt in right hand and introduce it into the

receiver , keeping the ex tractor li fted with the rightthumb . Turn bolt to right hand , at the same time pressstrongly with first finger against right side of ex tractor .

To Dismount Magazine Mechanism.

I . The gate being closed,engage the flanged head

Of a cartridge case under the lug on the front end of thehinge bar head and turn the latter toward the gate , outof its seat then bear heavily on the gate with the palm

154 U. s. MAGAZINE RIFLE,MODEL 1898

Of the right hand , to overcome the pressure of the magazine spring,

and , with the le ft,press forward aga in st

the lug,drawing the hinge bar pin from the receiver .

2 . Remov e the gate , magazine spring,carrier and fo l

lower .

To Assemble Magazine Mechanism.

1 . Hold the piece with the right side uppermost . In

sert arbor of carrier into its hole in receiver and placeend of left thumb across magazine to prev ent carrierswinging into the latter .

2 . Place magazine spring in its channel , convex sideup , rounded end to the rear

,particularly observ ing that

the lip at its front end rests in the notch on heel o fcarrier .

3 . Place gate in its seat , lug entering between carrierand magazine spring. Remove left thumb and at the

flametime press gate aga inst magazine spring with right

and .

4 . Insert hinge bar pin in front hinge hole in receiv erwith left hand

,and press gate down strongly until pin

can be pushed through gate into rear hinge hole .

5. A fter the hinge bar pin is fully home , turn the headinto its seat by opening the gate .

188. PRECAUTIONS. If it is desired to carry the

piece cocked , with a cartridge in the chamber , the boltmechanism should be secured by turning the safety lockto the right .To Obtain positive ej ection , and to insure the bolt

catching the top cartridge in the magazine , when usingmagazine fire, the bolt must be drawn fully to the rearin opening it .

If a cartridge is pushed from the magazine partly into

U. S . REVOLVER, CALIBER .45 167

( 2 ) butt-swivel pin , 3) crane , (4 ) crane bushing, 5)crane lock, (6 ) crane- lock screw , ( 7 ) cylinder bolt, (8 )cylinder-bolt spring, (9 ) cylinder-bolt screw , ( 10 ) hand ,

( 1 1 ) rebound lever, ( 1 2 ) rebound ing- lever pin , ( 13 )

e j ectorrod head , ( 14 ) ej ector rod, ( 1 5 ) ej ector spring,

( 16 ) ej ector and ratchet , ( 1 7 ) side plate , ( 18 ) sideplate screws, ( 19 ) latch , (20 ) latch pin , ( 2 1 ) latchspring, (2 2 ) cylinder, ( 2 3 ) hammer strut , ( 24 ) hammerstrut pin

, ( 2 5 ) hammer—strut spring, ( 26 ) hammer, firing

-pin,and firing

-pin rivet, ( 2 7 ) hammer pin , ( 2 8 )

hammer stirrup, ( 29 ) hammer- stirrup pin , (30 ) safety ,

(3 1 ) safety lever, ( 32 ) trigger , (33 ) trigger pin , (34 )mainsprmg, 35) stock , right , (36 ) escutcheon ,

threaded,

( 37 ) escutcheon ,plain , ( 38 ) stock ,

left , ( 39 ) stock pin ,

(40 ) stock screw, (4 1 ) barrel , (42 ) frame , (43 ) front

sight , (44 ) recoil plate.

190. CARE. The rev olv er Should be kept clean ,free

from rust , and properly Oiled . The oil Should not be usedin ex cess. Waste Oil left in the mechanismwill cause theparts to gum and work stiffly . ( See also Part I, Chapter V

,Care Of the Rifle and P istol . )

191. IMPORTANT POINTS. The lock mechanismmust not be tampered with . The side plate should not beremoved ex cept under the superv ision of a non-commissioned Officer .

Nev er attempt to remov e the Side plate by prying itout Of place . It should be jarred out Of place by smartblows struck with a piece Of wood on the left side ofthe frame where it is covered by the stock .

The side plate must be replaced from the rear so as

to put the latch pin stud in the proper position,care be

ing,taken that the latch is drawn back, the latch pin for

1 68 U. S . REVOLVER, CALIBER .45

ward and its pin upright , so that it may enter the holein latch without forcing. See that the latch spring is

in its proper position in rear Of latch .

The crane and cylinder must not be dismounted nu

less suitable tOOls are ava i lable , and not then unless ab

solutely necessary .

Nev er attempt to open the cylinder when the hammeris cocked .

Nev er attempt to cock the hammer until the cylinder isfully closed and locked in the frame .

192. OPERATION. To e j ect the shells and load ,

push the latch to the rear and Spring the cylinder to thele ft out Of the frame ; pressure aga inst the front end Of

the ej ector rod head will empty the chambers and the

cylinder is ready to be reloaded ; moving the cylinder intothe frame , taking care that it is revolved so that thecylinder bolt will enter one of the rectangular cuts inits surface .

193. TO DISMOUNT AND ASSEMBLE REVOLVER.

To dismount the rev olv er, remove the parts in the'

following order : Crane lock screw (6 ) and crane- lock 5)crane (3 ) with cylinder stock screw (35and side plate screws side plate mainspring rebound lever pin 1 2 ) rebound lev er

hand ( 10 ) and trigger 32 ) hammer 26 ) cylin

der-bolt screw cylinder bolt 7 ) cylinder boltspring latch pin safety lev er 3 1 ) and safety

(30)The crane and cylinder should not be further dis

mounted or the recoil plate removed ex cept at ordnancedepots . The crane and cylinder are dismounted as fol

lows : ( a ) unscrew ejector ( 16 ) from ejector rod

1 70 U. s. REVOLVER, CALIBER .45

to squeeze the trigger when the self-cocking dev ice isused is considerably greater than with the single action .

To accustoma soldier to the use of the self-cockingmechanism and also to strengthen and dev elop the musclesof the hand, a fewminutes

’ practice daily in holding theunloaded rev olv er on a mark and snapping it, using thesel f-cocking mechanism is recommended . The use ofthe self-cocking dev ice in firing is not recommendedexcept in emergency . By practice in cocking the re

v olv er the soldier can become sufficiently expert to fire

v ery rapidly, using single action , while his accuracy willbe greater than when using the double action .

196./DOUBLE ACTION. In using double action the

trigger should not ‘be pulled t hrough with one motion ,but merely sufficiently to cock the rev olv er, which shouldthen be accurately a imed and the final squeeze impartedthrough the trigger to release the sear. A certain amountof practice is necessary to secure the necessary controlOf the trigger, but with practice it is quite practicable tocock the revolv er and lower the hammer , using doubleaction , and thus rev olv e the cylinder without firing therev olver at all.‘197 . MANUAL OF THE REVOLVER. The instruction under this head is first given on foot .When a lanyard is used

,one end is attached to the butt

Of the rev olv er, the other forms a sliding loop , which ispassed ov er the head and drawn snug aga inst the rightarm-pit. The lanyard should then be of just suchlength that the arm can be ex tended without constraint.Raise Pistol . The rev olv er being in the holster

, to

raise pistol : 1 . Raise, 2 . Pistol, grasp the stock, backof the hand to the body.

U. S . REVOLVER, CALIBER .45 1 7 1

At the command, Pistol, draw the rev olver from theholster , rev erse it , muzzle up, the hand holding the stockwith the thumb and the three first fingers ; the littlefinger may be placed under the butt ; forefinger outsidethe guard ; guard to the front ; barrel nearly v ertical ;hand as high as the neck and six inches to the right andfront of the right shoulder . This is the position ofRaise Pistol.

When dismounted,carry the right foot about twenty

inches to the right and place the left hand in the positionof the bridle hand .

Lower Pistol. Being mounted and at the position ofRaise Pistol

,1 . Lower, 2 . Pistol .

At the command,Pistol, lower the rev olver without

changing the grasp , and rest the hand and revolver onthe right thigh ,

back o f hand up,muzzle in front of

right knee .

When dismounted,lower the revolver without chang

ing the grasp of the hand , arm by the side and nearlyex tended

,back Of the hand to the right ; barrel inclined

to the front and downward .

Return Pistol. Being at ra ise or lower pistol : I . Re

turn, 2 . Pistol.At the command , Pistol, insert the revolver in the

holster,back of hand to body, button the flap and drop

the hand by the side .

If dismounted,bring the right foot by the side of the

left and drop the left hand by the side .

If the holster is so constructed that the butt is to therear

, Raise and Return P istol are ex ecuted as above, ex

cept that the back of the hand is to the right and therev olv er is not reversed .

1 7 1 U. s. REVOLVER, CALIBER .45

To Inspect Pistol . 1 . Inspection, 2 . Pistol .At the command

,Pistol, ex ecute Raise Pistol, except

that the revolver is held about six inches in front of thecenter of the body

,barrel up , pointing to the left front

and upward at an angle of about 45 degrees, wriststraight , and as high as the breast .The instructor passes a long the ranks, and examines

the revolvers. To inspect the rev olv er minutely, he takesit in his hands

,and then returns it to the trooper, who

grasps it at the stock and resumes Inspection Pistol; eachtrooper returns pistol as the inspector passes to the nex t .

If the revolvers are not inspected ,they are returned by

the command,1 . Return, 2 . Pistol .

When d ismounted the left hand and right foot rema inin place .

To Load includes to Unload — being at Raise or LowerPistol

,place the revolv er at the cylinder in the left hand ,

latch up , barrel inclined to the left front and downwardat an angle of about 30 degrees ; draw back the latchwith the right thumb , push the cylinder out with thesecond finger Of the left hand , and i f necessary ,

ej ectthe empty shells by pressing the ej ector with the leftthumb , right hand steadying the rev olver at the stock ;take a cartridge from the belt or box , insert it in thechamber , press it home with the right thumb and so on

for each chamber to be loaded ; close the cylinder withthe left thumb

, and Raise P istol.

198. FIRINGS. For single act ion , being at Raise Or

Lower Pistol: I . To the front (or righ t oblique, etc. )I . At (such an object) , 2 . Squad, 3 . Ready.

At the command , Ready, cock the revolv er with the

174 U. S. REVOLVER, CALIBER .45

The recruits are first taught the motions of loading andfiring without using cartridges. Loading and pointingpractice shal l be given mounted , at all ga its.

No cartridges will be used , ex cept when indicated inthe first command , thus : 1 . (So many) dummy (blankor ball ) cartridges, 2 . Load.

To Fire at Wil l . 1 . Fire atwill, 2 . To the front, etc .,or

2 . At (such an object) , 3. Commence Firing, 4. Cease Fir

mg.

The trooper fires as rapidly as is consistent with careful pointing at each shot . The Raise or Lower Pistol isresumed a fter each shot .At the command

,Cease Firing, the firing will stop ,

and the men resume the Raise or Lower Pistol.The practice will be conducted on the principles ex

plained in the Small A rms Firing Regulations.

199. MUSCLE EXERCISES. See Part II, Chapte rIV (Muscle Ex ercises) .

200. POSITION INSTRUCTION. ( See Part II,

Chapter V . )

2 0 1 . NEW MODEL CLIP-LOADING DOU

BLE-ACTION REVOLVER CHAMBERED

FOR AUTOMATIC PISTOL AMMUNITION

Note. The preceding data and manua l apply also tothis rev olv er, except the method Of loading. This arm

Fm, 39.— Loading Clip for Automatic Revolv er Ammunition .

U. S. CLIP -LOADING REVOLVER 1 75

is loaded by clips which hold three cartridges, each ofthe cartridges being held by the groove near the headand thus prevented from dropping through the chamber.(F1sLoading. Th1s newtype of weapon may be loaded as

follows : Place the revolver at the cylinder in thefingers of the left hand , latch up, barrel inclined to theleft front and downward at an angle of about 30 degrees ;draw back the latch with the right thumb , push thecylinder out with the second finger of the left hand , and

i f necessary, ej ect empty shells by pressing the ej ectorrod with the left thumb , right hand steadying the rev olv erat the stock ; take a clip between the thumb and finger ofthe right hand , the thumb resting against the cartridges,and insert the cartridges into the three adj oining chambers of the cylmder which are on the right ( the rev olv erbeing in the Position of Load ) , steadying the cylinderwith the left thumb ; then rotate the cylinder a hal f turnwith the left thumb and load the three rema ining chambers with a second clip in the same manner ; swing thecylinder into the frame

,taking care that it is rev olved so

that the cylinder bolt will enter one of the rectangularcuts in its surface .

Note. When Official instructions for loading with theclip have been added to the revolver manual

,the above

tentativ e method will be superseded .

202 . U. S . REVOLVER, CALIBER .38

The preceding data on U. S . Rev olver, caliber .45, apply to U. S . R. .38, except as regards certain differences

178 RANGE PRECAUTIONS

line and then only in the direction of the butts whenthey are open for use.

When loaded, the rifle should have the safety lockturned . to Safe.

When load ed, the pistol should be carried with thesa fety lock pushed up at Sofe.

W'hen loaded the rev olver, i f ca liber .38, being loadedwith only five cartridges, should be carried with the hammer down on an empty chamber.

Under no circumstances should the firing pin be letdown by hand on a cartridge. But lowering the hammer of the automatic pistol by hand does not bring thefiring pin in Contact with the cartridge , and so, in an emergeney, the pistol may be carried with the hammer downand a cartridge in the breach .

In case of a misfire with the rifle,i t is unsafe to raise

the bolt handle immediately, as it may be a caseof hang

fire. In such cases wait a few seconds, when the boltmay be opened in perfect safety.

INDEX

Numbers indicate Sections not Pages

Aimmg,inb‘fi

ghts.dev ice . Bedev ice , I

-Io ifielddown

Allowance. exerc1se

Ammunition , allowance .

rifle 1903rifle 19 17

A aniam. rifle 1903boltmechanism. rifle 19 17magazinemechanism. rifle 1903magazinemechanism. rifle 19 17pistol .

rev olv erAutomatic pistolAuxiliary a1ming poifit

riflerifle 1917 .

Belgian aiming dev iceBlacking SightsBolt . to remov e , rifle 1903

to remov e.rifle 19 17Boltmechanismrifle. 193mechanismrifle . 19 17mechanism. to assemble. rifle 1903mechanism. to assernble .

~rifle 19 17mechanism. to dismount . rifle I9O3mechanism, to dismount . rifle 19 17

rifle , 1111110111 111 pOintsrevolver

180 INDEX

Classes of fire . by direction .

by rateby results

Cleanin . pistolrevo ver

rifleComba t practiceCombined sightsCombined systemdescribing targetsCommands.armsigna ls .

finng .

Common unit ofmeasureCorporal. duties ofCoverposition and aimingdrill

cut ‘OE 0

Definitions..milita rjgryv ocabulary

terra ine v ocabuDeflection and elev at10n d rillsDesignation and recognition of targetsDismoun t . bolt . rifle 1903bolt , rifle 19 17magazine . rifle 1903 .

magazine. rifle 19 17 .

pistol .

revolv erDn lls.deflection and

.

eleVat1onposition and aiming, pistolposition and aiming , riflepos1tion and aiming. fromcov er

position and aiming. kneelingposition and aiming, proneposition and aiming.sitting .

Duties of, corpora lfire commanderfire unit commanderpla toon idespla toon eaderprivate

Effect ofwindElevat1on .

rule forEstima ting distanceExercise, adjust ing sights

a tming r1flea llowance for windageba ttle SIgh tcantingloadingmagazine frombeltmuscle .pistolmus

§l%

. r1fle

rap 1 re

with sigh ting bar

182 INDEX

Magazine. load .rifle I9O3rifle 1917 .

mechanism, rifle 1903rifle 1917 .

Manual p istol ((new)revolver (Cal. .45)

Marking rangesM id range practiceMil system

,descnb ing targets

estimating distanceMilitary v ocabulary .

Muscle exercises.rifle

Night firing .Nomencla ture. p 1stol (auto. 191 l ) .

revolver (Cal. .45)rifle. 1903rifle. 19 17Normal sight

Openingfire .

Operation .pistol (auto.

.

1911)revolv errifle , 1903rifle. 1917

Parts.pistol (auto. 1911)revolverrifle. 1903rifle. 1917

care of

Poin t ofaim

pistol .

Pos1tion .exercise . rifleinstruction .pistol

Quick fire.pistol

Record practiceRemovepbolt 1903)Remove bolt 19 17 )Revol ! er (Cal. . 38)Rev olv er (Cal. .45)

clip loading

partsOpera tion

care , clean1ngsighta£

1903)sights 19 17)

to loadto load 19 17)to unload ( 1903)tounload ( 19 17)

Rule. for eleva tionforwindage .

normal

INDEX

184 INDEX

Standing, position exerciseSuperiority offireTactica l use of rifle fireTargetmachineTargets

dm np tion and recognitionof .

TelescOp ic sights .

Terraine v ocabularyThird sighting exerciseTrajectoryTriangle of sightinTrigger squeeze exerc1se , pistol

U. S . revolv er (Cal. .38)(Cal. . 45)clip loading

U. S .mile( 1903)( 19 17)

Units ofmeasureUnload (rifle)magazine. rifle ( 1903;magazine . rifle ( 19 17pistol .

Use of. cover .

Vertical clock face systemVocabulary. firing

generalmilitary .

terrains

Wind . aiming 06 foreffect of

Wmdageallowancerule for

Working in pa1rs

Zero of rifle

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