Q re 1861 Springfield sling install:

[Cold Warrior]

Last week I received a "WATERVLIET ARSENAL" (repro) sling for my 1861.
Can anyone tell me (or show me) the correct way to install it? It did not come with
any instructions, and nothing I can find online (YouTube or otherwise) seems right.
For one thing, the sling appears to be about 14" too long, even at its shortest adjustment.
It would be of great help if a member can show/tell me the best method of attaching it.
Regards,
CW
BTW, I'm a US Army vet, so I'm familiar with many of the 20th century leather slings.

 

[Youngblood]

Click here-

http://www.jarnaginco.com/catframe.html

 

[Youngblood]

Sorry not direct link, that site is different.
On left click 'firearms'
Then scroll down to musket slings and you should see-
"Click here for instructions on how to install musket sling"

 

[Cold Warrior]

Thanks, Corp, I got that clip and I've managed to attach my sling (which looks like the example in the clip). Trouble is, the one the supplier sent me is about 14" too long. It seems to be designed for a rifle with its rear swivel mounted near the back end of the buttstock, rather than ending with the swivel that's mounted in front of the trigger guard.
I'll try to include of pic of how I've mounted mine.

[/URL][/IMG] Ack! Can't seem to post a pic here!

Sorry not direct link, that site is different.
On left click 'firearms'
Then scroll down to musket slings and you should see-
"Click here for instructions on how to install musket sling"

 

[JOHN42768]

Welcome, enjoy

 

[kel1985]

Welcome from Pittsburgh!

 

[Tin cup]

Last week I received a "WATERVLIET ARSENAL" (repro) sling for my 1861.
Can anyone tell me (or show me) the correct way to install it? It did not come with
any instructions, and nothing I can find online (YouTube or otherwise) seems right.
For one thing, the sling appears to be about 14" too long, even at its shortest adjustment.
It would be of great help if a member can show/tell me the best method of attaching it.
Regards,
CW
BTW, I'm a US Army vet, so I'm familiar with many of the 20th century leather slings.

I wonder if you got a a sling intended for a 3-band Enfield?

Kevin Dally

 

[Cold Warrior]

IDK...I've got a good pic of my sling here, but this forum seems to have a system of posting pics I'm not familiar with.

 

[Cold Warrior]

 

[Craig L Barry]

Oh...the standard US 1861 sling is supposed to be 46" long. That one looks quite a bit longer?

 

[Cold Warrior]

The sling in the pic (unfolded and laid out on the counter) is 72" LOA.
Somebody told me the standard was 56".
I'm going to try shortening it today.
Wish me luck.
CW

 

[Cold Warrior]

OK, I've not cut anything yet, but I'm trial fitting the sling to the rifle in mock-up of what seems to be the correct length,
and I'm getting ~46". I'm now planning on trimming 26" off the back end, and fastening (gluing/pop-riveting) a new
'loop' to replace the original one that will still be on the end I'll cut off and discard.
Maybe I'll find another use for the left-over 26" bit.
Stay tuned...

 

[Craig L Barry]

Yes that sling you have is a fantasy piece made for the reproduction Enfield, the regulation US 1861 sling is 46" long. Period. There is a detailed section in The Civil War Musket: A Handbook for Historical Accuracy on slings, and how to sling your musket. It goes into a little of the history on these reproduction extra long slings as you might expect, too. My least favorite extra long Enfield fantasy slings are the ones marked S. Isaac Campbell & Co. with the US style hook and sliding keeper, which were of course never made. British slings for the P53 Enfield were shorter (not longer) than US slings and also had a buckle. I know that seems strange given the greater distance between the sling swivels on the Enfield vs the US 1861. They were not marked S.IC& Co either.

When The Civil War Musket came out in 2006 I heard from a well known sutler who just recently passed away. He wanted to know where the information about the fantasy extra long S.IC& Co Enfield sling came from because they were selling a lot of them. The thrust of our conversation was that they were not period correct Civil War-era Enfield or US 1861 slings and they really could not be easily modified into something remotely historically accurate. I also said I would gladly retract the information in the book if any period documentation or a period image could be found showing such a sling in use. It hasn't been found to date so far, and the book is out of print.

Rather than rivet or glue, I would consider attaching the fixed rear sling keeper (loop) with waxed linen thread. You can punch holes with a leather awl pretty easily. The keepers on period slings were sewn not riveted.

 

[unicornforge]

.......... There is a detailed section in The Civil War Musket: A Handbook for Historical Accuracy on slings, and how to sling your musket. ......

Do you have any plans to reprint your book?

 

[Cold Warrior]

Thank you so much for that info, Craig! I knew something wasn't right, but when I contacted the supplier he insisted he'd had an "exact copy" made.
Here's part of the review I posted on 'Amazon' last night:

"This sling was 72" overall. I had to trim 26" off the 'loop end' to allow it to fit my 1861 Springfield correctly. It was a hassle because I needed to remove and then re-attach the 'fixed loop' using glue and pop-rivets. Feh! When I contacted the merchant he insisted his model was "an exact copy" of an original. He also told me he'd have an authority contact me, but he never. I'd rate the quality as "fairly cheesy" (it does not seem very durable).
It'd look just fine on a wall-hanger, for display purposes (if you like looooong slings).
For the price? It's not worth returning it; I'll just make do until I find a good one.
I've had satisfactory dealings with this supplier in the past, but this is disappointing.
No, I would NOT 'recommend this to a friend'."

The 'glue and pop-rivets' idea was no good. I don't mind purchasing some waxed linen thread and a needle--maybe an awl (if the one on my Swiss Army Knife is not up to the task). Maybe gluing and
sewing...?

 

[Craig L Barry]

Do you have any plans to reprint your book?

I suppose it's up to the publisher, but there are still plenty of copies floating around. Used copies on Amazon, etc. It's not hard to find.

As far as sewing the sling, you can drill a series of pilot holes close together with a 1/16" drill and run the thread through...it's easy to do. Or use a thin gauge hemp or cotton string, that will do the trick too. I have caught more flak over the correct slings than any other chapter, but the surviving record speaks for itself on the topic. Like I said, there are many surviving images of soldiers with slings on their muskets but I am still waiting to see any image showing one of those extra long slings. It's kind of a common sense approach to things, just look at the records to see what was in use and let that be your guide.

 

[Cold Warrior]

Here, I trimmed the fantasy sling down to 45" last night. Yesterday I went out and got some waxed thread, some proper needles, and a small but very pointy awl. Before I started the sewing I decided to fix that "fixed loop" in place with a smudge of "Gorilla Glue". It's amazing stuff! After clamping and curing it's holding well, though I probably should put a few stitches in there. Eventually. Anyway, I'm very pleased with the new look.

Thanks to the members who provided helpful advice, and to those who have welcomed me to this forum.

 

[Craig L Barry]

That looks much better, I'm sure you are more satisfied with the results than you were with what you started with here.