Some Living History Facts &
Other Useful"tid-bits."

Figure 2

At the command: Achtungpräsentiert Figure 2 - The left hand rotates the piece to the right [so that the man can still, with the left eye, look straight ahead on the right side of the piece barrel side] and at the same time, the right hand grasps the small [wrist] of the stock with the thumb toward the body.

Figure 3

At the command: Das -- Gewehr Figure 3 - The left hand grasps the piece so that the end of the thumb, which lies extended along the rear sight, is even with the front end of the sight, and together with the right hand smartly turns the barrel toward the body; the fingers of the right hand are placed extended immediately below the guard on the small of the stock, thumb below the lock [cocking piece]. Simultaneously, the piece is lowered so that the lower band is at the height of the collar, the stock touching the right forward edge of the left ammo box. The left forearm forms a right angle with the upper arm. Lastly, the barrel should be directly in front of the left eye.

Figure 4

For Rendering Honors, the command is: The inspecting officer must be looked-at as he "troops the line." First, the men are at Präsentiert -- das Gewehr! movement Figure 3. When honors are necessary, the commands is: Augen -- Rechts [die Augen -- Links]: Eyes Right [Left] must be added. The man follows the inspecting officer with his eyes, turning his head for the purpose, until the inspector is opposite the third man past him, then he snaps his head straight back to the front. Then to recover from Präsentiert...., the command is: Gewehr Über! [shoulder arms from the present] Figure 4 is given: The left hand turns the piece so the barrel is toward the right, the right hand grasps the magazine about two finger breadths above the ball of the bolt in such a manner that the thumb lies extended along the stock, and raises the piece as far as necessary to bring it to the shoulder as in normal Das Gewehr über movement.