24 MANUAL FOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFFICERS. 



and, with the cleaning rod inserted from the breech, pump the 

 barrel full a few times. Remove and dry with a couple of 

 patches. Examine the bore to see that there are in evidence 

 no patches of metal fouling which, if present, can be readily 

 detected by the nalced eye. then swnh out with the swabbing 

 solution — a dilute metal-fouling solution (subparagrnph /). 

 The amount of swabbing required with the swabbing solution 

 can be determined only by experience, assisted by the color 

 of the patclies. Swabbing should be continued, hovA'ever, as 

 long as the wiping patch is discolored by n bluish-green stain. 

 Normally a couple of minutes' work is sufficient. Dry thor- 

 oughly and oil. 



id) The proper method of oiling a barrel is as follows : Wipe 

 the cleaning rod dry ; select a clean patch and thoroughly sat- 

 urate it with sperm oil or warmed cosmic, being sure that the 

 cosmic has penetrated the patch ; scrub the bore with the patch, 

 finally drawing the patch smoothly from the muzzle to the 

 breech, allowing the cleaning rod to turn with the rifling. The 

 bore will be found now to be smooth and bright so that any sub- 

 sequent rust and sweating can be easily detected by inspection. 



(e) If patches of metal fouling are seen upon visual inspec- 

 tion of the bore the standard metal fouling solution prepared 

 as hereinafter prescribed must be used. After scrubbing out 

 with the soda solution, plug the bore from the breech with a 

 cork at the front end of the chamber or where the rifling begins. 

 Slip a 2-inch section of rubber hose over the muzzle down to 

 the sight and fill with the standard solution to at least one-half 

 inch above the muzzle of the barrel. Let it stand for 30 min- 

 utes, pour out the standard solution, remove hose and breech 

 plug, and swab out thoroughly with sodn solution to neutralize 

 and remove all trace of ammonia and powder fouling. Wipe 

 the barrel clean, dry, and oil. AVith few exceptions, one appli- 

 cation is sufiicient, but if all fouling is not removed, as deter- 

 mined by careful visual inspection of the bore and of the wiping 

 patches, repeat as described above. 



(/) After properly cleaning with eitlier the swabbing solu- 

 tion or the standard solution, as has .just been described, the 

 bore should be clean and safe to oil and put away, but as a 

 measure of safety a patch should always be run through the 

 bore on the next day and the bore and wiping patch examined 



