336 THE KEEPER'S BOOK 



Hints to Loaders. 



(a) The loader should never touch the "safe" slide, 



and when loading should turn his back to the 

 gun. After loading, in closing the breech, 

 raise the butt and not the barrels. This is 

 most essential to the safety of the gun and the 

 loader. Of course it is understood the point 

 of the weapon will be pointing to the ground 

 when loading. 



(b) The loader should never talk, and should never 



smoke on duty. It is considered very bad 

 manners and can only be excused on the score 

 of ignorance. 



(c) The loader in wet weather should protect the 



mechanism part of the gun as much as poss- 

 ible, and should wipe it from time to time 

 with an oiled rag. 



(d) Should any difficulty be experienced in working 



the lever, the gun should be carefully ex- 

 amined for dirt or any remains of cartridge 

 paper. 



(e) Damp cartridges should never be used. 



(/) If mud or sand or other foreign substances get 

 into the barrels, they should be well run 

 through with the lead cylinder and the 

 pocket cleaner. 



(g) Always inspect the gun thoroughly after any 

 accident of the nature of tripping or of drop- 



