TM 9-1275, EQUIPMENT

Section 8

Paragraphs 32-37

EQUIPMENT

32. Bayonet, M1 (fig. 78)

a. INSPECTION.

(1) As a unit (fig. 78). Inspect the bayonet as a unit for appearance and general condition, fit, and positive retention on rifle and looseness of components.

(2) Individual parts (fig. 79). Inspect blade for deformation, broken or nicked point, nicked or burred blade edge, unserviceable dullness, and burrs. Inspect lug ways in handle for wear, dents, burrs, and foreign matter. Examine the scabbard catch well for foreign matter. Check the guard for burrs, deformation, deformed or dented barrel band, loose fit on barrel when mounted, looseness on blade, and loose or missing rivets. Inspect the bayonet scabbard catch slot for deformation and burrs. Check the catch for functioning, wear of hook, wear in screw hole, free action in slot, deformation, looseness on grip screw, and burrs. Check scabbard catch for functioning, free action in well, worn or burred hook, worn knurling, looseness on bayonet catch slot, and for burrs. Test spring tension; free length of catch spring (B147063) is 0.475 to 0.030 inch. Inspect the grips for cracks and protrusion over the edge of the blade handle. Examine the grip screw and escutcheons for looseness, wear, projection above grips, and burrs.

b. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS.

(1) Nicks and burrs. Smooth the nicks and burrs on metal parts of the bayonet with a fine-grained sharpening stone. Keep the point of the blade serviceably sharp. Dents in edges of blade can often be peened out before smoothing.

(2) Loose rivet in guard. Peen rivets or, if necessary, punch out and replace with new rivets and peen; file heads flush with a fine, flat file. Take care not to make a shiny spot on the guard, which may reflect light.

(3) Worn lug ways. When lug ways are worn enough to make the bayonet fit loosely on the rifle, peen the ways sufficient to make a secure fit. Peen lightly and fit the bayonet to the lug frequently during the process.

(4) Cracked grips. If the grips are cracked or escutcheon loose, replace the grips.

(5) Bayonet Catch. The bayonet catch (fig. 79) should operate freely and with good spring action. Test it to be certain that the bayonet is positively held on the rifle and in the scabbard.

(6) Repointing. Bayonets that have their points broken off are being repointed and made serviceable by ordnance repair shops. The following is the preferred method of grinding and the minimum length to which blade of the bayonet may be repointed and still be serviceable for issue:

(a) In order to avoid drawing the temper, blades of bayonets, bayonet-knives, or trench-knives which may require repointing will be ground only on a water-cooled stone. Make no attempt to reheat-treat the blades after the repointing operation. Where required, refinish shiny blades by penetrating, parkerizing, or parco-lubriting.

(b) After final grinding and finishing operations, the bayonet blade, measured from the front of the guard along the blade to the point, will not be less than 8 3/8 inches.

33. Bayonet Scabbard, M7 (fig. 78).

a. INSPECTION.

(1) As a unit. Inspect the scabbard as a unit for appearance, general condition, fit and retention of bayonet, ease of bayonet withdrawal, and looseness of components.

(2) Individual parts. Check the body for cuts, deep abrasions, or splitting. Examine the top of the mouthpiece for wear, burrs, or looseness in the body. The hook is not to be deformed, worn, or burred. Insert the bayonet in the scabbard and be certain that either latch hook on the mouthpiece will engage positively with scabbard catch on bayonet.

b. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR.

(1) Nicks and burrs. Remove nicks and burrs on top of mouthpiece with a smooth file. Use a flat file with a safe edge for flat surfaces and rat-tailed file for inside curved surfaces.

(2) Top plate loose in body. If the top plate becomes loose it may be tightened by springing the lugs of the metal top into the notches provided in the body of the scabbard.

(3) Hood on mouthpiece. If either hook on mouthpiece will not positively engage the scabbard catch on the bayonet, it may be fitted by filing the forward face of the hook slightly. Be certain to file level. Do not file scabbard catch unless burred or worn unevenly.

34. Gun Sling, M1907 (fig. 80)

a. INSPECTION.

(1) As a unit. Inspect gun sling, M1907 as a unit for appearance, general condition, flexibility, and functioning of hooks, loops, and keepers.

(2) Individual parts. Inspect straps for condition of leather, weakness, ripped stitches, cuts, and abrasions. Examine hook holes for wear and breaks between holes. Inspect for tears at rivets, and wear and cracking at loops. Leather straps should not crack when bent around a 1-inch bar. Check the hooks for deformation, pinching, and burrs, the rivets for looseness, and the loops for deformation and burrs. Examine sliding metal keepers for looseness on straps and for pinching.

Note. If sliding keepers are of leather, check for ripped stitches.

b. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR.

(1) Dried-out leather. When the straps become dried-out, as indicated by light cracking or stiffness, clean them thoroughly with saddle soap to help condition the leather. Work a thick lather of soap well into the leather and rinse off the clean water. Polish briskly with a dry, clean wiping cloth. If this treatment does not soften the leather, apply a very light coating of Neat's-foot oil.

(2) Scratches and gouges. When straps become rough from leather "picked up" by scratches, cuts, or gouges, smooth them by paring lightly with a sharp, flat blade.

(3) Bent sliding loops and hooks. Then (metal) sliding loops or hooks become spread or pinched, they should be corrected. Loops may be spread by placing a piece of flat metal between loop and strap and using a light-weight hammer.

(4) Worn holes in straps. When holes in straps become worn or leather is torn between the holes, replace the strap. Punching new holes will weaken the strap.

35. Gun Sling, M1 (fig. 80)

a. INSPECTION.

(1) As a unit. Inspect the gun sling as a unit for appearance, general condition, functioning of keeper buckle, and security of hook when assembled to rifle.

(2) Individual parts. Examine the body (webbing) for cuts, chafing, or weak spots, and indications of rotting. Inspect the clip on the end for cracks or insecurity. Check hook for cracks or spreading; it should snap onto butt (sling) swivel of rifle and be firmly retained. Inspect loop and buckle for deformation, burrs, and cracks. Check keeper assembly for dents, cracks, and positive retention of body when locked.

b. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR.

As this sling is made of webbing, repair is not usually practical; therefore, if badly damaged, replace it as a unit.

36. Flash Hider, M2 (fig. 81)

a. INSPECTION.

(1) As a unit. Inspect the flash hider as a unit for appearance, general condition, and fit and retention on rifle. Flash hider should fit snugly on end of barrel and lock positively in position.

(2) Individual parts. Inspect slot in bracket for burrs and wear, latch for deformation, looseness on bracket hinge pins, and worn locking lugs. Inspect cone for deformation and looseness on bracket.

b. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR.

When the latch fails to lock on bracket, this condition may be due either to worn locking lugs or the latch being sprung out, thus preventing the locking lugs from functioning. Both conditions may be corrected by positioning the latch in a vise so that the jaws clamp at the locking lugs and then tightening the vise until the latch is sprung sufficiently to give a positive locking action on the bracket.

37. Grenade Launchers, M7 and M7A1 (figs. 82 and 83)

a. INSPECTION.

(1) As a unit. Inspect grenade launchers as a unit for appearance, general condition, and fit and retention of rifle. Launcher should fit snugly on end of barrel and lock positively in position. Inspect protrusion of spring beyond outside diameter of sleeve. It should protrude .007 to .011 inch. If the spring is deformed so that it protrudes more than .011 inch or worm to a point where it protrudes less than .007 inch, replace.

(2) Individual parts (grenade launcher, M7). Inspect sleeve for burrs, deformation, foreign matter inside tube, and looseness on bracket. Inspect stud for wear and burrs. Inspect latch for deformation, wear on locking lugs, and for looseness on bracket hinge lugs.

(3) Individual parts (grenade launcher, M7A1). Inspect individual parts as outlined in (2) above with the following additions: Inspect plunger for burrs and for function in slot in body. Inspect spring for function, fracture, and set. Free length of spring (B7313331) is approximately 1.400 inches. Inspect spring aperture in body for burrs and foreign matter.

b. MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR.

(1) Latch fails to lock on bracket. Refer to paragraph 36b for correction.

(2) Remove burrs with a fine-grained sharpening stone or fine, flat file. Remove rust or foreign matter from inside of sleeve with rifle bore cleaner and bore brush.

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