IIANUAL rOR NONCOMMISSIONED OFPICERS. 239 



steadies the position, and the head goes back with tlie recoil 

 and insures that your face is not hurt. 



Kneeling position: Assume the position very much as de- 

 ' scribed in tlie Cavalry Drill Regulations. Sit on the right 

 heel. ■ The right knee should point directly to the right; that 

 is, along the firing line. The point of the left elbow should 

 rest over the left knee. There is a flat place under the elbow 

 which fits a flat place on the knee and makes a solid rest. 

 Lean the body well forward. This position is uncomfortable 

 until practiced, when it quickly ceases to be uncomfortable. 



Sitting position: Sit down half faced to the right, feet from 

 6 to 8 inches apart, knees bent, right knee slightly higher than 

 the left, left leg pointed toward the target. Rest both elbows 

 on the knees, hands grasping the'piece the same as in the prone 

 position. This is a very steady position, particularly if holes 

 can be found or made in the ground for the heels. 



Prone position and use of the gun sling: To adjust the sling 

 for firing, unhook 'the straight strap of the sling and let it out 

 as far as it will go. Adjust the loop so that when stretched 

 along the bottom of the stock its rear end (bight) comes about 

 opposite the comb of the stock. A small man needs a longer 

 loop than a tall man. Lie down facing at an angle of about 

 60° to the right of the direction of the target. Spread the legs 

 as wide apart as they will go with comfort. Thrust the leti 

 arm through between the rifle and the sling, and then back 

 through the loop of the sling, securing the loop, by means of 

 the keeper, around the upper left arm as high up as it will go, 

 I'ass the hand under and tlien over the sling from the left side, 

 and grasp the stock and handguard just in rear of the lower 

 band. Raise the right elbow^ olf the ground, rolling slightly 

 over on the left side. Place the butt to the shoulder and roll 

 back into position, clamping the rifle hard and steady in the 

 firing position. The rifle should rest deep down in the palm of 

 the left hand with fingers almost around the handguard. Shift 

 the left palm a little to the right or left until the rifle stands 

 perfectly upright (no cant) without effort. The left elbow 

 should rest on the ground directly under the rifle, and right 

 elbow on the ground about 5 inches to the right of a point di- 

 rectly under the stock. In this position the loop of the sling, 

 starting at the lower band, passes to the right of the left wrist. 



