M1917 Enfield

 Index of Illustrations


APPENDAGES.
 

The OILER AND THONG CASE, Fig. 137, furnished for every rifle, is carried in the butt of the stock. It consists of a sand blasted and nickeled brass tube, about 6 inches long and 3/4 inch in diameter, divided transversely, near the center, by a partition, with both ends fitted with screw caps. In one section is carried a small supply of sperm oil, and in the other the thong and thong brush used for cleaning the bore of the rifle. The cap on the oil section is fitted with a wire, flattened at its point, which reaches to the bottom of the section and is used for applying oil, a drop or more at a time. The oil is only for the lubrication of working parts. The cap is also provided with a leather washer to prevent leakage. The cap on the thong section has a leather pad on its outer surface, which prevents the noise that would result from the oiler striking the butt plate cap. The oiler should always be inserted in the stock so that the leather-tipped cap will be next to the butt plate cap. The parts as shown in cut are: Thong case body A and B; oiler collar D, into which the cap is screwed; oiler cap washer E; oil dropper C and F, and thong case cap G.

The THONG AND THONG BRUSH are shown in Fig. 138. The thong tip A, into which the thong brush B is screwed, is provided with a rag slot C; the thong cord is knotted in the hole D in the tip, and also in the hole E in the weight. In cleaning the bore by means of the thong, the brush or rag should always be drawn from the muzzle toward the breech.
 

ACCESSORIES.
 

The SCREW-DRIVER, Fig. 139, has the large blade A, the small blade B, the spur C, the pin D, and the rivet E. The. large blade should be used for the large butt-plate screw, the butt-plate spring screw, and the guard screws; the small blade for all other screws, except the rear sight slide stop screw, for which the spur should be used. The pin serves as a drift in removing the butt-plate cap, floor-plate catch, and sear and trigger pins.

The BARRACK CLEANING ROD, model of 1916, Fig. 140, is made of brass rod, 0.25 inch in diameter and of sufficient length so that the bore can be cleaned from the breech end. It has the knob A, the steel collar B, and a brass sleeve C riveted on the end of the rod. The knob swivels on the rod between the collar and the sleeve. The other end has a socket for connection with the thong brush issued with the rifle. This rod is intended for use in garrison and camp service.

The CLEANING ROD, model of 1916, supersedes the cleaning rod, model of 1913, although the latter will be issued until the supply is exhausted. Unserviceable cleaning rods, model of 1913, are used partly in the manufacture of the model of 1916 rod and should be turned in to the commanding officer, Springfield Armory, by proper authority for this purpose.
 

The NEW ROD is a jointed brass rod, 0.25 inch in diameter and 36.187 (36 3/16) inches long. It is made in four sections; the handle section with knob, Fig. 141; the second section, Fig. 142; the third section, Fig. 143; and the brush section, Fig. 144, to which is attached the thong brush issued with the rifle.

Each rod is packed in a case of olive-drab webbing and rods are issued on the basis of one for each eight rifles.

This rod and case are intended for use in field service only.

 

FOLLOWER DEPRESSOR.
 

The FOLLOWER DEPRESSOR is shown in perspective in Fig 145. It is used to hold the follower down, clear of the bolt, so that the rifle may be used for drill purposes in simulating fire. It comprises the top plate A; wings B; and finger notch C. The follower is forced down and the depressor is slipped into the magazine. edgewise above the follower and is then turned so that its edges engage under the sides of the magazine opening in the receiver. Since the top plate is troughed, full clearance for the movement of the bolt is given. To remove the depressor, it is pushed down and tipped laterally by inserting the point of a bullet in notch C. When so tipped, it will be lifted out of the magazine by the follower.