and pit it. To avoid this, swab out
the barrel as soon as possible after firing with Hoppe's "Powder
Solvent, No. 9" which can be purchased at the camp stores. If this
powder solvent is not available, dissolve some soda in water and use it.
When the barrel is clean, dry it out thoroughly by running several dry
rags through it. Next run several rags, saturated in oil, through the
barrel, this for the purpose of oiling the bore and preventing rust.
This process of cleaning should be repeated for at least three
successive days following the firing of the rifle.

The metal fouling, caused by the pealing off in the bore of the jacket
of the bullet, can only be removed by an application of an ammonia
solution which should not be used by an inexperienced man.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

The Bayonet. The bayonet is a cutting and thrusting weapon consisting of
three principal parts, viz., the blade, the guard, and the grip. The
weight of a bayonet is 1 pound.

[Illustration]

Captain B. A. Dixon, retired, has compiled the following interesting
data about our military rifle and ammunition:

"Name. United States Rifle (commonly known as the Springfield).

"Cost. $14.40 without the bayonet.

"Barrel. 24.006 inches in length. The muzzle is rounded to protect the
rifling. Any injury here would allow gases to escape around the sides of
the bullet and destroy its accuracy.

"On the top in rear of the front sight is stamped the Ordnance
escutcheon, the initials of the place of manufacture, and the month and
year.

"Caliber. .30-thirty hundredths of an inch. Caliber is the interior
diameter of the barrel measured between the lands.

"Grooves. The four spiral channels within the bore of the rifle
sometimes called rifling. They are .004 inches deep and are three times
as wide as the lands.

"Lands. The four raised spaces in the bore of the rifle between the
grooves. These lands grip the bullet as it passes through the bore and
rotate it to the right about the longer axis. This rotation serves to
prevent tumbling and keeps the bullet accurately on its course. This
spinning of the bullet also causes it to drift slightly to the right as
it passes through the air. The same effect is produced by throwing a
baseball with a twist.

"Twist. The spiral formed by the grooves in the barrel of the piece.
The twist is uniform and to the right, one turn in ten inches.

"Length. The rifle without bayonet is 43.212 inches long. Wi