Was getting in a little instructive reading over at Tam's and got to wondering about the rules of gun safety promulgated by the Army during Dad's service (WWII). Since I have a copy of FM 21-100, "War Department Basic Field Manual - Soldier's Handbook (July 23, 1941, including C1, May 4, 1942)", I can now tell you what they were. (FWIW I have great respect for the Four Rules, but these are interesting.) This section immediately follows Section III, "NOMENCLATURE, CARE AND CLEANING, AND SAFETY DEVICES OF AUTOMATIC PISTOL, CALIBER .45, M1911".
Section IV SAFETY PRECAUTIONS66. All weapons used in the Army are designed to kill. Remember this and handle them with care. Observe the following rules at all times:
a. Treat all weapons as though they were loaded until you, yourself, have inspected them to see that they are not loaded.
b. Do not take someone else's word that the weapon is empty. Inspect it.
c. Each time you pick up a weapon find out if it is loaded by inspecting it yourself.
d. Do not leave a loaded weapon around where someone else may unknowingly pick it up.
e. When you put your weapons away, inspect them to see that they are unloaded.
f. Do not point a weapon at anyone unless you intend to kill him.
g. Load only when you receive orders to.
h. Learn how to use safety locks before you ever load a weapon.
i. When your weapon is loaded and you are not firing, keep the safety lock on, particularly when advancing, as you may catch your trigger in brush and kill yourself or comrade.
j. Do not pick up shells, bombs, hand grenades, and the like, until you have been instructed in the handling of such ammunition and then only when you receive orders to do so.
k. Do not pick up any shell or other metal object which you may see on the battlefield or firing range. It may be a "dud" (an unexploded shell), which may go off when you disturb it.
l. Be careful what you pick up on the battlefield. A magazine, newspaper, can of food, and other apparently innocent articles may be "bait" for a "fool's trap" or "booby" mine which will explode when you pick it up.
Note particularly paragraph f., which along with "always assume the weapon is loaded" is the one my daddy beat into my head from the first time I ever held so much as a BB gun.
