Functionality labels

Serviceable: The new weapon label.

A MAJOR change in weapons labelling means that soldiers checking when their rifle or pistol is due for inspection will no longer have to call the unit armourer or dig out the weapon log from the armoury.

In future soldiers will find robust label attached to their weapons showing when the next inspection is due.

Lt-Col Scott Allbutt, of the Directorate of Technical Regulation - Army, said that annual technical inspections were a fundamental means of ensuring that small arms were fit-for-service and safe.

While logbooks, labels and paper tags are available to tell the soldier that all is well they have usually not survived the weapon’s first trip to the field.

The addition of a robust small stick-on label to the current range of land materiel fully functional tags and labels is set to change all of this. The label is punched to identify the date the fully functional classification expires.

The new label will be implemented across the F88 Steyr, M4 Carbine, F89A1 Minimi, Mag 58, and L9A1 and Mk III pistol types over a 12-month period beginning on July 1.

It will then be implemented to other small arms types. The implementation is being conducted through the chain of command and involves anybody who uses, maintains or distributes small arms. Most Army units will change over on a day that fits with their activity program.

By June 30, 2006, anybody receiving a weapon from the types covered by the implementation will need to look for the label and ensure that the date punched has not passed.

Weapons without a label or having an expired date are to be returned for technical inspection.