Protect Your Small Arms
A helmeted soldier in a torn sleeve grips a rifle, with care instructions and two cans of cleaner and oil below, ending in 'There's no excuse for weapon abuse'. The technique is faint: a light fear-appeal and an appeal to duty, with the strongest tell being the blunt closing line aimed at servicemen.
Propaganda techniques used in this poster
- Date
- 1944
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- U.S. Army Conservation Program; artist signed c.c. beall
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- Military
- Regime
- Roosevelt Administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Audience
- Own forces
- Purpose
- Mobilize or secure compliance
- Theme
- War and the military
- Event
- World War II
- Regime
- Roosevelt administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Posters, retrieved October 4, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain (U.S. government work)
U.S. Army. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-1592 (NAID 515257).
Text on the object
PROTECT YOUR SMALL ARMS Use These - Clean and Oil Regularly These preparations do the job easier, better. Ask your supply sergeant for them. Always clean after firing and for three successive days thereafter. Clean and oil wet or dirty weapons at once to prevent rust. Handle and Ship Carefully Never drop, bang, or throw weapons. Don't tinker or try unauthorized repairs and adjustments. BEFORE STORING OR SHIPPING, apply compound, rust-preventive, light. Store in a dry place, and in shipment, rack weapons individually in the crate. Never throw together. They fit your cartridge belt THERE'S NO EXCUSE FOR WEAPON ABUSE [on emblem:] U.S. ARMY SAVE CONSERVATION PROGRAM [on can 1:] POISON DO NOT USE AS FOOD CONTAINER 2 OZ CLEANER-RIFLE BORE USA 2-117 (RIXS-205) SHAKE WELL BEFORE USING P.O. No. [illegible] THE QUAKER [illegible] [on can 2:] POISON DO NOT USE AS FOOD CONTAINER PS OIL, LUBRICATING PRESERVATIVE, SPECIAL USA 2-120 (AXS-777) 2 OZ. [illegible] [signature:] c.c. beall [imprint:] U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1944--O-506228 [imprint:] ARMY CONSERVATION PROJECT NO. 97-O-13
