INSPECTION OF ARMS from Casey's Manual

235. The recruits being at ordered arms, and having the bayonet in the scabbard, if the instructor wishes to cause an inspection of arms, he will command: Inspection—ARMS.

One time and two motions.

236. (First motion.) Seize the piece with the left hand below and near the upper band, carry it with both bands opposite the middle of the body, the butt between the feet, the rammer to the rear, the barrel vertical, the muzzle about three inches from the body; (should the rifle musket be used, the muzzle will be about eight inches from the body); carry the left hand reversed to the bayonet, draw it from the scabbard and fix it on the barrel; grasp the piece with the left band below and near the upper band, seize the rammer with the thumb and fore-finger of the right hand bent, the other fingers closed.

237. (Second motion.) Draw the rammer as has been explained in loading, and let it glide to the bottom of the bore, replace the piece with the left hand opposite the right shoulder, and retake the position of ordered arms.

238. The instructor will then inspect in succession the piece of each recruit, in passing along the front of the rank. Each, as the instructor reaches him, will raise smartly his piece with his right hand, seize it with the left between the lower band and guide sight, the lock to the front, the left hand at the height of the chin, the piece opposite to the left eye; the instructor will take it with the right hand at the handle and, after inspecting it, will return it to the recruit, who will receive it back with the right hand, and replace it in the position of ordered arms.

239. When the instructor shall have passed him, each recruit will retake the position prescribed at the command inspection, return the rammer, unfix the bayonet, and resume the position of ordered arms.

240. If, instead of inspection of arms, the instructor should merely wish to cause bayonets to be fixed, he will command:

Fix—BAYONET.

241. Take the position indicated No. 236, fix bayonets as has been explained, and immediately resume the position of ordered arms.

242. If it be the wish of the instructor, after firing, to ascertain whether the pieces have been discharged, he will command:

Spring—RAMMERS.

243. Put the rammer in the barrel, as has been explained above, and immediately retake the position of ordered arms.

244. The instructor, for the purpose stated, can take the rammer by the small end, and spring it in the barrel, or cause each recruit to make it ring in the barrel.

245. Each recruit, after the instructor passes him, will return rammer, and resume the position of ordered arms.