You're probably not old enough, Gateau! The training for sentries used to be, "Halt! Who goes there?" If "friend" was uttered in response, then the sentry followed up with, "Advance, friend and be recognised". This would identify your fork ok and prevent it being damaged by gunfire. And, no, it would be no use asking me how to take a suspension fork to pieces - and in any case I'd first have to identify it ........