cared for
just as you would care for the works of your watch. If the sights are
injured, the rifle will not shoot as aimed.

The front sight cover issued by the Ordnance Department protects the
front sight.

=1334. The magazine.= The magazine should be kept clean and covered
with a thin coat of oil.

=1335. The stock.= The stock should receive a light coat of raw
linseed oil once a month, or after any wetting from rain, dew, etc.
The oil should be thoroughly rubbed in with the hand.

=1336. Care of the mechanism.= When the rifle has been wet or exposed
to unfavorable climatic conditions, the bolt should be withdrawn and
all working parts carefully wiped with a dry cloth, and then gone
over with an oily rag.

The same thing should be done after firing.

All working parts should habitually be _lightly_ oiled with a
thin-bodied oil, such as "3-in-One."

=1337. The care of all metal parts.= All metal parts of the rifle
should be kept clean and free from rust.

=1338. Cams and bearings.= All cams and bearings must be kept
constantly oiled.

=1339. How to apply oil.= Do not pour or squirt oil on the rifle.

Put a few drops on a piece of clean cloth, preferably cotton, and rub
with the cloth, thereby avoiding the use of an unnecessary amount.

Cams and bearings can be oiled this way. However, if the oiler is used
instead because of greater ease in reaching them, oil them _lightly_.
To soak with oil accomplishes no more than to cover with a light
coating--it merely results in excessive, undesirable smearing and a
waste of oil.

Remember

=1340.= 1. It is easier to prevent than to remove rust.

2. To remove rust, apply oil with a rag, and let it stand for a while
so as to soften the rust; then wipe with a dry rag.

3. Emery paper or a burnisher must never be used in removing rust, for
it also removes the bluing.

However, an ordinary rubber eraser will be found very serviceable for
removing rust.

4. To prevent rust and dirt in the bore, run a rag through at least
once each day.

5. Never, under any circumstances, put away a rifle that has been
fired or exposed to bad weather, without first cleaning it.

6. Never lay your rifle flat on the ground. Not only is there danger
of dirt or other foreign matter getting into the bore, but a vehicle
may run over it, or some one may step on the sight. Always rest it up
_securely_ against something. On the target range it is well for every
soldier to have a shor