m, which clogs the operation of the parts. Screws should not
be turned in so hard as to make the parts bind. When a lock has, from
any cause, become gummed with oil and dirt, it may be cleaned by
boiling in soap-suds, or in pearlash or soda-water; heat should never
be applied in any other way.

270. PRECAUTIONS IN USING.--In ordering arms on parade, let the butt
be brought gently to the ground, especially if the ground be hard.
This will save the mechanism of the lock from shocks, which are very
injurious to it, and which tend to loosen and mar the screws and split
the wood-work.

The ramrod should not be sprung with unnecessary force, for fear of
injuring the corners of the grooves; and, in stacking arms, care
should be taken not to injure the bayonets by forcibly straining the
edges against each other.

No cutting, marking, or scraping the wood or iron should be allowed,
and no part of the gun should be touched with a file. Take every
possible care to prevent water from getting between the lock, or
barrel and stock. If any should get there, dismount the gun as soon as
possible, clean and oil the parts as directed, and see that they are
perfectly dry before assembling them.

PAINTS AND LACQUERS.

COMPOSITION AND PREPARATION.

271. The proportions are given for 100 parts by weight of prepared
colors, when not otherwise designated.

A gallon of linseed oil weighs 7.5 lbs.
A gallon of spirits of turpentine 7.25 lbs.
A gallon of Japan varnish 7. lbs.
A gallon of sperm oil 7.12 lbs.
A gallon of neatsfoot oil 7.63 lbs.

PAINTS AND LACQUERS.

_Boiled oil._

Raw linseed 103. lbs.
Copperas 3.15 lbs.
Litharge 6.3 lbs.

_Dryings._

Mixture of copperas and litharge
taken from the boiled oil 60 lbs.
Spirits turpentine 56 lbs.
Boiled oil 2 lbs.

_Putty_ (for filling cracks in wood).

Spanish whiting, pulverized 81.6 lbs.
Boiled oil 20.4 lbs.

Another kind of putty, for the same purpose, is made by mixing fine
sifted oak sawdust with linseed oil which has been boiled till
glutinous.

_White paint._

PROPORTIONS.
For inside work. For outside work.