The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-08-27
MILITARY. MATTERS;
 GUARD OF ALABAMA
By-D. ". NEWER.

The commanding officers of each conn pany should secure an option on the land and go to work at once to get the range in shape for preliminary practice. The mohey will be forthcom- ing and if 1t is advanced will be re- funded. Ranges at home, stations are now the most important thing in our rife practice movement to place the ranges in access of the men, and hope this will give place to everything else. lively interest in rife practice has been aroused in the rank and file of the entire organization of this State and if given an opportunity to practice rife firing, 1t is believed the men will be eager to avail themselves of 1t.
 Caring for the Rihe.
 The care of the rife is a most i'm portant thing in military duty. It is a most difficult thing. too and IS no little trouble. Major Resche Of the 3rd Infantry. Minnesota National Guard, tells how it may be done:
 "A large amount of care is required to keep rifle in perfect condition, More rifles are ruined from not havinB proper attention than in any other way. To keep the piece in the best possible condition 1t Is absolutely necessary that 1t always be kept clean and well oiled and it should never be stored away for any length of time without being frequently inspected It Is es- pecially necessary that 1t be thoroughly cleaned after 1t has been used on the range.
 Tn cleaning my rifle have ob- talned the best results by first washing the bore with water that contains small solution of soda. This can best be done by inserting in the chamber a funnel to which shell has been soldered By doing so all the water will he kept out of the magazine l then use a Marble cleaner fastened to a brass wiping rod, preferably one with . swivel so that the cleaner will follow the rifling .
 "For the information of those not familiar with the Marble cleaner would say that it is similar to the wire brush but is made of series of small disks of soft brass guaze. separated by brass washers, strung on a piece of SUIT spring-brass wire. The cleaner can be bent to fit any bore and to equalize the wear The Marble cleaner is much more serviceabIe than the wire brush and does not injure the bore It can be obtained from nearly every dealer in sporting goods.
 Always clean from the breech. Work the cleaner back and forth few times and then wash out the barrel again. After four or five repetitions the water will come through almost clean. then use small squares or heavy Canton flannel and brass wip- ing stick until no dirt remains in the barrel Next give it thorough olllng with a thin lubricant and then put away to be inspected next day, as 1t IS almost impossible to get the best re- suits with one cleaning. l am never satisfied as long as a spot of dirt re- mains in the bore.
 AHo ChnIIIh held against board, the wall or floor so that the cleaning rod can not pro- trude and thereby injure the muzzle. or if cleaning on a table, the muzzle cover furnished with the rifle may De left on and made to answer the same purpose. o+ long enough to permit cleaning rom theI breech only. a muzzle protector should be used, which can very easily he made from a piece of hard wood one and one-half inches square with a hole one-half inch deep on the under side just large enough to fit snugiy over the barrel with small hole through the center the size of the cleaning rod. This protector Is placed over inc mnzzle and the cleaning sod worked through the opening.
 'dThe accurate shooting of many rifle may thus be prolonged.
 "A cork or a rag should never be left in the muzzle as it will gather moisture and thereby start rust:
 If handled frequently keep all parts we'll oiled with a thin lubricant. ana in good working order. If the piece Is to be laid away for any length or time give 1t a coating of cosmoline oil. All oil must be removed from the bore before going on the range to oD- tain even shooting.
 ''The stock should not be neglected but should be kept thoroughly satuated with raw linseed oil It will not only held the appearance but will keep IT from warping should it get wet.
 .'The same care should be given the bayonet Often 1t is stuck Into the ground. as In marking the align ment in pitching shelter tents, and re- turned to the scabbard without being cleaned. Rust soon forms and spoiIs inc appearance The wooden handle is often used in driving shelter tent pins so that the wood Is battered up and becomes an eye-sore. The bayonet scabbard should be considered part Of the rifle and should be given the same care by being kept free from rust or otherwise disfigured."