ally unscrew the side screws; then,
with a slight tap on the head of each screw with a wooden instrument,
loosen the lock from its bed in the stock; turn out the side screws,
and remove the lock with the left hand. 6th. Remove the side screws
without disturbing the washers. 7th. Take off the bands in order,
commencing with the uppermost. 8th. Take out the barrel; in doing
this, turn the musket horizontally, with the barrel downward, holding
it loosely, with the left hand below the rear sight and the right hand
grasping the stock by the handle; tap the muzzle on the ground, if
necessary, to loosen the breech. If an attempt were made to pull the
barrel out by the muzzle, it would, in case it were wood-bound, be
liable to split at the head of the stock.

The foregoing parts of the rifle-musket are all that should usually be
taken off or dismounted.

The breech-screw should be taken out only by an armorer, and never in
ordinary cleaning. The mountings, cone and cone-seat screw, should not
be taken off, nor should the lock be taken apart, except by permission
of an officer.

264. TO CLEAN THE BARREL.--1st. Stop the vent with a peg of soft wood,
or piece of rag or soft leather pressed down by the hammer; pour a
gill of water, warm, if it can be had, into the muzzle; let it stand a
short time to soften the deposit of powder; put a plug of soft wood
into the muzzle and shake the water up and down the barrel; pour it
out and repeat the washing until the water comes out clear; remove the
peg from the cone and stand the barrel muzzle downward, to drain, for
a few moments.

2d. Screw the wiper on the end of the ramrod, and put a piece of dry
cloth or tow round it sufficient to prevent it from chafing the
grooves of the barrel; wipe the barrel dry, changing the cloth two or
three times.

3d. Do not put oil into the vent, as it will clog the passage and
cause the first cap to miss fire; but, with a slightly oiled rag on
the wiper, rub the bore of the barrel and the face of the
breech-screw, and immediately insert the tompion into the muzzle.

4th. To clean the exterior of the barrel, lay it flat on a bench or
board, to avoid bending it. The practice of supporting the barrel at
each end, and rubbing it with a strap, buffstick, ramrod, or any other
instrument to burnish it, is pernicious, and should be strictly
forbidden.

5th. After firing, the barrel should always be washed as soon as
practicable; when the water comes off c