< PreviousP LATE I V Wh at Happe ns Wh e n th e Oo l t Knob Is Turned Upwards to Unl oad . T he rear end nf t he bolt rib (9) i~ freed from t he registanceshouhh•r, a nd the rc>ista ncc lug (15) t r:tvcls d own the incli ned ~:roo,·c on the left hand side of the bolt war; this brings abnut "pri ma ry extraction," a nd C:.IUH·s t he whole of t h e bolt to b e withdrawn abou t onc·ci.:hth of an inch. At the same time the s tud on the cocking pil-ce ( 10) is forct-d fro m the lo ng cam groo,·c (16) up the inclined pla ne (17) into the short cam groove, th us wit hd ra wing the s triker abom onc•eig ht h of :111 inch (sec Action of Bolt a nd Cockin~: i'iccc) . Wh at Happe ns When the Uo lt is Wi t hdrawn. The extractor (18} . w hic h is ke pt in c::Josc co ntact with the rim or the cartrid~e h~, 11\l'<:ut:o; oi the extractor spri n~. wit hdraws the fi red case as the bult tr;wds to the rear until t he base of the e<trtritli!C ca~c com es :ll!:tin~t the ejector ~rcw (on the ldt o f bodr in bolt wa)'), and is thrown out on thc ri~:ht ·hand side. \\'he n the bolt ha~ been withdrawn to itsiull extent, the W-s hapcd >pring (1 9) in t he magazi ne c-ause~ t he plat form ( l O) to w hich it Is, attachC"d \0 ri ::t\'. i ntrod udn~ the tnpmost cartrid!-!C to t he iacc or t he bHlt head. T he a uxili:t ry spri n~ (..?l ) gin.·~ a ~nwoth IH:ari ug to the magazine pl~ttform . WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK~ WIND .. 1''~-~-· ::..W: ~,7·o-:-----~- ;r .... ,~r • _,?--- • • L . /,L ~ ·-- U/~. 1,...,.....~- ~ -~·-- - -· ~----· ' .-J; ~, r .,• ' A.C-.a17. If allowance is not rnaae for winds, the target may be missed. A weB-trained soldier will not make this mistake. The fire in this case is ineffective and the enemy at "£" will doubtless shell the wood. WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKDisla.nc~a be~wetn muzzle of rifle l a.\minq disc: a.hou.t ono Puk of~elme~ clu.roFaimi"1 d (a) Open sigh t Correct aim (b) Aperture sight 7. Additional Note on "Ross" Londing 'When Ross breech is really closed, rhe bolt sleeve handle is almost touching bridge of charger-guide assembly, and forward of backsight hinge, but if not sufficient driving force is applied in closing, rhe breech will probably fail to close by about an inch, or with cocking piece still hidden 111 bolt sleeve. If trigger is pressed while rifle is only part loaded in this manner, the bolt action will fly forward, completing the loading auto- m:nically, and firing action will duly follow; but rhe main spring, burdened by the extra work of completing the firer's job, will probably fail ro explode the round. Many claims of "miss-fires" have been due to t his neglect on the soldier's p:m to close tbc breech fully . 54 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK8. Alternative Method of Unloading If unloading in a muddy trench or in the dark, etc., remove the magazine, open breech slowly and remove round from chamber. Close cut-off and breech, press trigger and apply safety catch. Empty the magazine and replace it in the rifle. 9. Holding and Trigger Pressing Look to the front and push forward the safety catch. Lift the rifle so that the butt comes quickly into the shoulder. Pull well in with both hands, the wrist of the left hand being clear of the magazine. vVithout releasing the grip of the right hand, place the first joint of the forefinger round the lower part of the trigger and squeeze with the whole hand until there is a distinct check to the trigger. This is the first pressur e, gnd will always be taken when the butt is in contact with the sho uld~r. L~wcr the check to the butt, keeping the ey e well back from the coclong-p1ccc. Close the left eye and aim. V.rhen the aim is correct, restrain the breathing and continue the steady squeeze with the right hand until the cocking- piece goes forward. Notice where the sights arc pointing at this moment and declare truthfully high, low, etc. (This only applies to slow firing.) Hold the rifle firmly in the shoulder with left hand and, keeping the head still, open and close the breech quickly, avoiding unnecessary movement. Tilting the rifle slighrly to the right will assist in r eloading. Lower the rifle to the ground. 10. Hnlf Coek nnd How to Remedy At half cock the trigger cannot be pressed, nor c:m the breech be opened, until the action is placed at full cock by drawing back the cocking-piece. If firing, apply the abo ve remedy and continue. If the action is found at half cock on other occasions, apply the above remedy, but open the breech to ensure the chamber is clear before pressing the trigger. 11. Types of Firing Positions I. Tbe standing position is used to fire from a slit trench, over high cover, to take a snapshot during an advance or to fire at low flying aircraft. 2. Tbe kneeling and sitting positiom arc used on service for firing from a low wall, a bank, in long grass, or in crops or scrub which would obstruct the line of sight if the lying position were adopted. 3. Tbe lying position is the one most generally used on service and is adopted when firing from low continuous cover; such as, banks or folds in the ground, and isolated cover afforded by rocks, trees, etc. 4. The soldier must at all times take advantage of all available cover when sclectir~g his fire l?osition, with the object of killing the enemy and at the same time prescntrng the smallest poss1blc target to his view or fire. 5. The l<ind of fire (normal, rapid or snapshooting) will be given in the fire unit commander's fire order and will depend upon the nature of the target presemc4. 55 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKWrhc & for~ar m ns ~tc.f Standing-Firing from a Slit Trench Lha.ndt' foru.tm Ol\ ontorbolh knaes Knccling-:Firing from Behind a Bank 56 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK12. Position for Loading 1. Lying position Holding rhe rifle at the point of b:tlance with the left hand, lie down c1uickly, pushing the rifle row:\I"Cls the front. Place the right hand on the small of the butr. Thl! body "should be oblique to the front, legs extended. 2. Standing up from lying position Draw back the rifle and hold it w ith the left hand at the point of babnce. Get up quickly. The rifle must ne,·er be used as a support when getting up. In firing round co,·er the normal position w ill be adopted with the side of the r ifle against the cover, but, w hen such cover is isolated, the legs will be togcdter behind the cover so as to avoid unnccc~'Sary exposure. Body ol»h,ut ~o line of Firt leqs af>ar~ I Elbows on lLe qround Tri~od base of R.elbow,l.eiLow and body 57 tarqet. shOUlder WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UK"-} Firlll qri., with both hands well into should11r Lying-Firi ng from a Fold in the Gro nnd ss WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKLying-Firing Round Isolated Cover. Firfng at Moving Targets and Aimiug at Ground Riflemen must endeavour to shoot their enemy before they can get to cover. If this is not possible, the spot where they take cover must be marked so that they can be engaged quickly with accuracy on reappearing. 13. Tests of Elementary Training in the Rifle There arc four tests. Of these, certain must be carried out by testing one man at a time; others may be carried out collectively and this should be done whenever possible. Panicul:!r anention will be paid to the correct firing positions hcfore each test is begun. No. 1. Aiming This test is carried out using aiming rests. Three aims will be laid at a Fig. 4a target at 200 yards. The aim will be considered correct if it is approximate to the centre of the target. Standard-2 aims correct out of 3. No. 2. Aiming off Carried out using a1mmg rests. Men will be ordered to aim off one target's width right or left of a Fig. 3 target at 300 yards. The aim will be considered correct if it is approximate to the centre of the auxiliary. Standard-2 aims correct out of 3. 59 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKNo. 3. Rapi d firing This test will be carried out using cover. The firer will be in the "~o~ition. of r eadiness". o.n the command "Rapid fire" he will fire at an amung d1sc held to the mstructor's eye. The command "Stop" will be given after 5 rounds have been fired. Standard-4 out of 5 shots correct. Time-20 seconds from the command "Fire". Bayonets fixed. Drill cartridges will ' NOT be used. No. 4 . Firi n g flositio ns Bayonets fixed; inspection in positions behind suitable cover. Those who make serious faults will fail. Nott>.-Faults which would reduce accuracy of fire and cause unnecessary exposure to view should be considered serious. 14. Distin guishing Features of Rifles . 303" and . 30 0" A ttt>mion is drawrz to tbe fo/lowiug distinguishing feat11rt>s I. Rifle No. I. Short Magazine Lcc-Enfield, .303" Mark Ill. This is the standard British service rifle which is familiar to everyone. T he barrel does nor project beyond the nosecap. The safety catch is on the left side. 2. Ri fl e No. 1. Sho rt Magazine Lee-Enficld, 303-inch, Mark IIix. This rifl e differs from the No. I, t\llark Ill, in having no cut-off for the mag:~zin e. It has other minor differences, bur the appearance of the rifle is the same. 3. Rifle No. 3 Pattern 191 -t, .303-inch. This rifle is heavier and less easy to handle than the No. I rifle. lt h:~s an aperture backsight over the bolt, the safety catch is on the right side and the barrel projects about 3i inche beyond the nosecap. The magazine holds only five rounds and does no project below the body of the rifle . .t. R ifle No. 3, .303-inch, Mark IxT. This is a sniper's rifle and is rh same as the Pattern 1914 rifle, except that it is fitted with a telescopic sight 5. Rifle No. 3, .303-inch, Mark IxF. This is also a sniper's rifle and i is the same as the Pattern 1914 rifle, except that it is fitted w ith a fin adjustme nt sight, but 110 telescope. G. Rifle No. 4, .303-inch, Mark Ix. The barrel and muzzle r esembl the No. 3 rifle but otherwise this rifle is very simila.r to the No. 1 rifl except that it has an aperture backsight over the bolt and other m ino impro\·cmcnts. It is :10 extremely reliable and accurate weapon. 7. Rifle No. 4, .303-inch, Mark l x (T ). T his is the No. 4 rifle fitte with the No. 32 telescopic sight. It is used as a sniper's rifle. 8. R oss, .303-inch. This rifle has no wood on top above the upp sling swivel. ~t is marked ·:Ross Rifle Co. of Canada." The ~olt p ul straight back mstcad of. turnmg, ~nd should 011 110 a~cou11t be d1_smant~e by unskilled persons as Jt may eas1ly be re:ass~rnb~ed m~orrectly, 111 wluc case it becomes dangerous to the firer. T lus nfle JS notJceably longer tha any other in use in this country. 60 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKNo. 3. Rapid firing This test will he carried out using cover. The firer will be in the "~o~ition. of readiness". O.n the command "Rapid fire" he will fire at an a~mmg d1sc held to the Instructor's eye. The command "Stop" will be g•vcn after 5 rounds have been fired. Standard-4 out of 5 shotS correct. Time-20 seconds from the command "Fire". Bayonets fixed. Drill cartridges will ' NOT be used. No. 4. Firing IlOSitions Bayonets fixed; inspection in p ositions behind suitable cover. T hose who make serious faults will fail. Note.-Faults which would reduce accuracy of fire and cause unnecessary exposure to view should be considered serious. 14. Distinguislling Features of Rifl es .303" and .300" Attemiou is drawn to the following distinguisbiug featttres I. Rifle No. I. Short Magazine Lee-Enneld, .303" Mark Ill. This is the stand:trd British service rifle which is familiar to everyone. The barrel does not project beyond the nosecap. The safety catch is on the left side. 2. Rifl e No. I. Short Magazine Lcc-Enficld, 303-inch, Mark IIix. This rifle differs from the No. I, Mark lll, in haYin g no cut-off for the magazine. It has other minor differences, but the appearance of the rifle is the same. 3. R ifle No. 3 P:mern 191~ • .303-inch. This rifle is heavier and less easy to handle than the No. I rifle. It has an aperture backsight over the bolt, the safety catch is on the right side and the barrel projects about 3! inches beyond the nosccap. The magazine holds only five rounds and does not project below the body of the rifle. ~. Rifle No. 3, .303-inch, Mark IxT. This is a sniper's rifle and is the same as the Pattern 191~ rifle, except that it is fitted with a telescopic sight. 5. Rifle No. 3, .303-inch, Mark lxF. This is also a sniper's rifle and it is the same as the Pattern 1914 rifle, except that it is fitted with a fine adjustment sight, but no telescope. 6. Rifle No. 4, .303-inch, !\lark Ix. The barrel and muzzle resemble the No. 3 rifle but otherwise this rifle is Yery similar to the No. 1 rifle except that it has an aperture backsight over the bolt and other minor improvements. It is an extremely reliable and accurate weapon. 7. Rifle No. 4, .303-inch, Mark lx (T). This is the No. 4 rifle fitted with the No. 32 telescopic sight. It is used as a sniper's rifle. 8. Ross, .303-inch. T his rifle has no wood on top above the upper sling swivel. It is marked " Ross Rifle Co. of Canada." The bolt pulls straight back instead of turning, and should on no account be dismantled by unskilled persons as it may easily be re-assembled incorrectly, in which case it becomes dangerous to the firer. This rifle is noticeably longer than any other in use in this country. 60 WWW.RIFLEMAN.ORG.UKNext >