Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Cavalry of the Army Part 3

(_l_) The chambers of rifles are frequently neglected because they are not readily inspected. Care should be taken to see that they are cleaned as thoroughly as the bore. A roughened chamber delays greatly the rapidity of fire, and not infrequently causes sh.e.l.ls to stick.

(_m_) A cleaning rack should be provided for every barrack. Rifles should always be cleaned from the breach, thus avoiding possible injury to the rifling at the muzzle, which would affect the shotting adversely. If the bore for a length of 6 inches at the muzzle is perfect, a minor injury near the chamber will have little effect on the accuracy of the rifle. The rifle should be cleaned as soon as the firing for the day is completed. The fouling is easier to remove then, and if left longer it will corrode the barrel.

(_n_) The principles as outlined above apply equally well for the care of the barrel of the automatic pistol. Special attention should be paid to cleaning the chamber of the pistol, using the soda solution.

It has been found that the chamber pits readily if it is not carefully cleaned, with the result that the operation of the pistol is made less certain." (_Par, 134, Small Arms Firing Manual, 1913._)

=Section 4. Uniforms.=

Uniforms and clothing issued to enlisted men must not be sold, p.a.w.ned, loaned, given away, lost, or damaged through neglect or carelessness.

Any soldier who violates this rule may be tried by a military court and punished.

All uniforms and articles of clothing issued to enlisted men, whether or not charged on their clothing allowance, remain the property of the United States and do not become the property of the soldier either before or after discharge from the service. Under the law a soldier honorably discharged from the Army of the United States is authorized to wear his uniform from the place of his discharge to his home within three months after the date of such discharge. To wear the uniform after three months from the date of such discharge renders such person liable to fine or imprisonment, or both.

The =dress uniform= dismounted (the blue uniform) consists of the dress cap, dress coat, dress trousers, and russet-leather shoes. The straight, standing, military, white linen collar, showing no opening in front, is always worn with this uniform, with not to exceed one-half inch showing above the collar of the coat. Turndown, piccadilly, or roll collars are not authorized.

When under arms, white gloves and the garrison belt are worn. The dress uniform mounted is the same as dismounted, except that riding gloves, leggings, and spurs are worn, and the saddle cloth, showing regimental number and troop letter, is placed over the saddle blanket.

The =full-dress uniform= is the same as the dress uniform, with the breast cord added.

The =service uniform= is either cotton (summer) or woolen (winter) olive drab.

For duty in the field it consists of the service hat, with cord sewed on, service coat or sweater, service breeches, olive-drab flannel s.h.i.+rt, leggings, russet-leather shoes, spurs, riding gloves, and identification tag. In cold weather olive-drab woolen gloves may be prescribed.

In warm weather the coat, sweater, and riding gloves may be omitted when authorized by the commanding officer.

When not in the field, the service cap is worn instead of the campaign hat. Under arms, dismounted, white gloves and the garrison belt (or russet-leather belt and cartridge box) are worn.

Spurs and riding gloves are worn on all mounted duty or when on mounted pa.s.s.

Wear the exact uniform prescribed by your commanding officer, whether you are on duty or off duty.

Never wear a mixed uniform as, for instance, a part of the service uniform with the blue uniform.

Never wear any part of the uniform with civilian clothes. It is very unsoldierly, for example, to wear a civilian overcoat over the uniform or to wear the uniform overcoat over a civilian suit.

Keep the uniform clean and neat and in good repair.

Grease spots and dust and dirt should be removed as soon as possible.

Rips and tears should be promptly mended. In taking the field always wear new clothing as it may be some time before you are again supplied, and old clothing on field service goes to pieces rapidly.

Missing b.u.t.tons and cap and collar ornaments should be promptly replaced.

There is but one correct and soldierly way to wear the cap. Never wear it on the back or side of the head.

The service hat should be worn in the regulation shape, peaked, with four indentations, and with hat cord sewed on. Do not cover it with pen or pencil marks. The chin cord should always be in order and fit for long field service.

Never appear outside your room or tent with your coat or olive-drab s.h.i.+rt unb.u.t.toned or collar of coat unhooked. Chevrons, service stripes, and campaign medals and badges are a part of the uniform and must be worn as prescribed.

When coats are not worn with the service uniform olive-drab s.h.i.+rts are prescribed.

Suspenders must never be worn exposed to view.

Never appear in breeches without leggings.

Leather leggings should be kept clean. Saddle soap should be used to clean _all leather_. Should the shoes, leggings, or leather equipment be soaked by rain or swimming they will not become hard if covered with a light coat of neat's-foot oil applied just before they dry out.

All new leather should be oiled before being placed in service.

Leather can be preserved for years by the use of saddle soap and neat's-foot oil, but once it becomes hard and cracked nothing will make it serviceable. Canvas leggings should be scrubbed when dirty.

Russet-leather (tan) shoes should be kept clean. Leather cleaned with saddle soap can be polished by rubbing with a flannel cloth.

The overcoat when worn must be b.u.t.toned throughout and the collar hooked. When the belt is worn it will be worn outside the overcoat.

=Section 5. The service kit.=

The service kit is composed of two parts--(_a_) the field kit, which includes everything the soldier wears or carries with him in the field, and (_b_) the surplus kit.

The field kit consists of--

(1) The clothing worn on the person.

(2) Arms and equipment, consisting of--

(_a_) Arms and equipments of all enlisted men (except buglers and members of bands and machine-gun troops):

1 brush and thong.[1]

1 canteen, cavalry.[2]

1 canteen strap, cavalry.[2]

90 cartridges, ball, caliber .30 21 cartridges, ball, pistol, caliber .45.

1 cartridge belt, caliber .30, cavalry.

1 cartridge-belt suspenders, pair.

1 cup 1 fork.

1 front-sight cover 1 gun sling.

1 knife.

2 magazines, pistol, extra.

1 magazine pocket web, double 1 meat can 1 oiler and thong case.[1].

1 pistol 1 pistol holster.

1 pouch for first-aid packet.

1 rifle scabbard.

1 rifle, United States, caliber .30.

1 saber and scabbard, cavalry.

1 saber knot.

1 saber straps, pair.

1 spoon.

1 spurs, pair.

1 spur straps, set.