Mr. Frazier.

The maximum number of rounds the clip holds is six. However, the weapon can be loaded with a clip holding 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 round.
This is done by inserting the clip in the rear portion of the ejection port, and pushing it downwards until it clears the bottom of the bolt. The weapon then is loaded by moving the belt forward. It picks up one cartridge out of the clip, carries it into the chamber of the weapon, and the bolt is then locked by turning down.
To fire the weapon, it is merely necessary to pull the trigger, since the closing of the bolt has cocked the cocking piece on the weapon.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Can you proceed to show the extraction and ejection mechanism?

Mr. Frazier.

Yes, sir. The extraction is merely by raising the bolt and drawing it to the rear. When the cartridge is first loaded, the rim on the base of the cartridge is caught under the extractor in the face of the bolt, so that drawing the belt to the rear draws the fired cartridge or a loaded cartridge if it has not been fired, out of the chamber to the rear, where the opposite side of the cartridge strikes a projection in the ejection port called the ejector. The ejector strikes on the opposite side of the case from the extractor, causing the shell to be thrown out of the weapon on the right-hand side.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Now, to fire the next shot, is any further action necessary, apart from closing the bolt and pulling the trigger, if remaining cartridges are in the clip?

Mr. Frazier.

No, sir.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Could you pull out the clip and explain any markings you find on it?

Mr. Frazier.

The only markings are the manufacturer's markings, "SMI," on the base of the clip, and a number, 952 The significance of that number I am not aware of. It could be a part number or a manufacturer's cede number.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Is there any reason that you can think of why someone might call that a five-shot clip?

Mr. Frazier.

No, sir, unless they were unfamiliar with it. There is an area of confusion in that a different type of rifle shooting larger ammunition, such as a .30-06 or a German Mauser rifle, uses five-shot clips, and the five-shot clip is the common style or size of clip, whereas this one actually holds six.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Have you had occasion to purchase ammunition for this rifle?

Mr. Frazier.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Does the ammunition come in the clip?

Mr. Frazier.

Normally it does not. The ammunition that we have purchased for this rifle comes in 20-shot boxes. It is possible and I say this as a result of reading advertisements--to buy ammunition for this rifle, and to receive a clip or clips at the same time, but not necessarily part of the same shipment.

Mr. Eisenberg.

When you ordered C-250, which is now Commission Exhibit 542, did you receive a clip with that rifle?

Mr. Frazier.

No, sir.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Would you deduce, therefore, that the clip--that someone wishing to shoot that rifle and use a clip in the rifle would have purchased the clip later?

Mr. Frazier.

They would have to acquire it from some source, yes.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Is it commonly available?

Mr. Frazier.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Mccloy.

Can you use that rifle without the clip?

Mr. Frazier.

Yes; you can.

Mr. Mccloy.

What is the advantage of the clip?

Mr. Frazier.

It permits repeated firing of the weapon without manually loading one shot at a time.

Mr. Mccloy.

The only other way you can fire it is by way of manual load?

Mr. Frazier.

Yes, sir; one shot at a time.

Mr. Mccloy.

When you say a six-cartridge clip, could that gun have been fired with the clip fully loaded and another one in the chamber?

Mr. Frazier.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Mccloy.

The same as the .30-06?

Mr. Frazier.

Yes, sir; the weapon will hold a maximum of seven.