Rifle slings

[gary]

Did soldiers discard their rifle slings as useless accoutrements? I've yet to examine photo images to determine the extent to which rifles had slings.

It's also my understanding that soldiers were made to pay for lost equipment (that is, if not lost in battle).

 

[Craig L Barry]

This is in one of the books, maybe The Civil War Musket (?). After you decide which army, when and where (which makes a difference) what I recall off the top of my head is that not every musket was issued with a sling and being part of the accoutrement set they were re-ordered through Ordnance and not regular supplies such as uniform items which went through the Quartermaster Dept. Hence, replacement slings were not automatically issued at any regular interval even if they wore out. Looking at period photos, you can find evidence of muskets with slings and also those without slings.

For the most common imports like the P-53 Enfield, the Federal Government would often order without bayonet scabbards and slings, preferring to issue the US pattern. There are exceptions that can be found in early war photos where US soldiers have English type accoutrement sets and Enfields, but they are relatively rare. The sling for the US model rifle musket merely needs some holes punched higher up and it works well with the Enfield.

Did soldiers re-purpose the musket slings? Yes, there are period accounts in letters and diaries of soldiers using the sling to fasten a blanket roll, or serve as a belt for their trousers.

 

[mofederal]

That is a good question. They seem to be popular at reenactments. I like a sling myself. They can be useful.

 

[Jobe Holiday]

I have even seen ACW canteens with modified musket slings used for canteen straps.
J.

 

[johan_steele]

Met a collector who had a pair of Springfield slings modified into a pair of braces.

 

[gary]

Good point Craig. I'm particularly interested in the 7th Michigan at Fredericksburg. They (along with the 19 Mass and First Andrew Sharp Shooters) were initially trying to drive off the Confederate sharpshooters with rifle fire. When that didn't work, they boarded some pontoons and were the first to cross the Rappahannock.

One thing about discarding the slings, a soldier, to my understanding and correct me if I'm wrong, was responsible for them and if he lost or damaged them, had to pay for its replacement. Mind you, losses in combat or capture were acceptable. So, discarding a sling was not in the pecuniary interest of a soldier. Repurposing like the canteen straps Jobe mentioned is OK because it can be restored to the rifle and returned to the government.

@johan_steele - braces? Braces for what? Leg braces or something? I'm curious.

 

[captaindrew]

Braces is the period term for suspenders

 

[gary]

Thank you for the education. I love this site.

 

[Private Smith]

I currently own four original rifle musket slings, one of them identified by stencil. I used to have five sold one. At one point I could not resist them whenever I saw one for sale I'd buy it. All but one have maker marks. I also collect images of enlisted men, they all have slings on thier muskets, and most other images( Tintypes, Ambros, and CdV) I see out there have slings too. Although several books I have read seem to suggest not as many slings were issued, comparative to the amount of muskets issued.

 

[Private Smith]

Another thing to consider, I think if I was marching twenty plus miles a day with a musket, I am pretty certain a sling would be a welcome aid to lugging that cumbersome piece around.

 

[FiremarshalBill]

Does anyone have a photo of the original sling used on the Model 1854 Lorenz rifle musket? Was it leather? Heavy canvas? I'm displaying mine with and old Springfield Trapdoor sling but an original sling would be nice. Thanks.

 

[Tailor Pete]

Many years back, I had a the opportunity to peruse the collection of the late Wallace Zearing. I remember seeing a number of 'soldier crafting' using rifle slings.

One of the more interesting examples was a sling (or maybe two?) fashioned into an over-the-shoulder blanket roll holder.

There was also one canteen strap, a sling sewn on to a haversack, two sets of braces, and a pair of cavalry boots with parts of a rifle sling crudely sewn onto the top / sides as hand holds to facilitate putting them on.

Never have run into any waist belts, however.

I also remember one sling made of a heavy webbing that was tarred. THAT one was really cool!