=1. Instruction of Officers.=--It is necessary for all company officers and sergeants to possess a competent technical knowledge of the inspection, care, and preservation of small arms. Commanding officers will therefore arrange that they shall be instructed annually by the regimental armourer in repairing faults most likely to occur in the field with such tools as would be available, and in the examination of the various components as directed in the following paragraphs: =2. Examination of M.L.M. Rifles.=--(i) The interior of the barrel for rusts and cuts. (ii) (_a_) The backsight leaf for firmness of joint; that it is not bent; that the slide moves smoothly and fits firmly on the leaf; that the =V= is not deformed; and that the lines on the slide are clearly marked. (_b_) The foresight; that the barleycorn is not deformed. (iii) The aperture and dial sights; that they are not bent, and work smoothly. (iv) The bolt cover; for security on the bolt and clearance of the body. (v) The cocking-piece; for firmness on the striker, that the bents are in good condition, and that the sear nose bears properly. (vi) The sear; for height of the nose, which should just clear the bottom of the resisting lug on the bolt. (vii) The butt; that the stock-bolt is properly screwed up. _Note_.--In arms marked “2” on the right of the butt, and at the socket of the fore-end, the latter must be removed before attempting to turn the stock-bolt. In screwing it home the precautions prescribed in sub-para. xvii will be carefully observed. (viii) The cocking-piece and striker; that they fly forward freely on pressing the trigger. (ix) The striker-point; that it is the correct shape and projects sufficiently through the face of the bolt-head. (x) The magazine; that it is not dented, and that the platform works freely. =3. Examination of M.L.E. Rifles.=--The same as for rifles M.L.M., with the following addition: (xi) Safety-catch; that the bolt of the safety-catch engages in the slots in the extension at the end of the bolt. =M.L.E. Charger-Loading Rifles.=--The same as (i), (iii), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), (x), and (xi), with the following additions: (xii) (_a_) The backsight leaf, for firmness of the joint; that it is not bent; that the slide moves freely; that the clamping screw engages properly; that the windgauge fits firmly; and that the =U= is not deformed. (_b_) The foresight; that the blade is not deformed. =4. Examination of Short, M.L.E., Marks I and I* and Converted Marks II and II* Rifles.=--The same as (i), (iii), (v), (vi), (viii), (ix), and (x), M.L.M. Rifles, with the following additions: (xiii) (_a_) The backsight leaf, for firmness of the joint; that it is not bent; that the fine adjustment and windgauge fit firmly; that the slides move smoothly; that the catches engage in the racks on both sides of the leaf; and that the =V= is not deformed. (_b_) The foresight; that the barleycorn is not deformed.