Sling Arms?

[JimW]

I've been trying my best Google-Fu, but can't seem to find an answer.

Are there any period photos or documentation of soldiers using their slings to "Sling Arms" for carrying them (like modern day carry)?

If that wasn't a method used to carry them back then, was there any training to use the sling as an aid to accuracy when firing (again, as modern usage is)?

TIA!

 

[johan_steele]

Using the sling to increase accuracy wasn't really a thing and most of the slings wouldn't really have helped with that. The period term was "at ease march" I believe.

Men would fall into a rhythm and often kept in step so as not to step on people's heels. There are accounts of men reading and even writing letters while marching, though I honestly can't see how. I can vouch for the reality of being able to sleep on the march, I've done it. Not great rest but better than nothing.

Slings weren't on every arm by any means and men carried them any way they could to be comfortable. Surprisingly right shoulder shift isn't uncomfortable on the march.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

Using the sling to increase accuracy wasn't really a thing and most of the slings wouldn't really have helped with that. The period term was "at ease march" I believe.

Men would fall into a rhythm and often kept in step so as not to step on people's heels. There are accounts of men reading and even writing letters while marching, though I honestly can't see how. I can vouch for the reality of being able to sleep on the march, I've done it. Not great rest but better than nothing.

Slings weren't on every arm by any means and men carried them any way they could to be comfortable. Surprisingly right shoulder shift isn't uncomfortable on the march.

You're right. Slings were used at least all the way back to the Revolutionary War, but were certainly nowhere universal even in the Civil War.

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

Using the sling to increase accuracy wasn't really a thing and most of the slings wouldn't really have helped with that. The period term was "at ease march" I believe.

Men would fall into a rhythm and often kept in step so as not to step on people's heels. There are accounts of men reading and even writing letters while marching, though I honestly can't see how. I can vouch for the reality of being able to sleep on the march, I've done it. Not great rest but better than nothing.

Slings weren't on every arm by any means and men carried them any way they could to be comfortable. Surprisingly right shoulder shift isn't uncomfortable on the march.

At the route step, the manuals (Gilhams & Hardees at least, I believe) call for "arms at will." I agree that they likely carried them however it was most comfortable.

However, I did see a YT video recently (I forget which creator) where the host pointed out that you can usually tell a good historical movie from a bad one by the way they carry their arms. His example was from WWI and WWII photos where the soldiers' methods of carry almost always emulate the methods instructed in their drill. Whereas poorly directed soldier actors carry their weapons like hunters or other nonmilitary.

I also agree that slings may not have been ubiquitous, but must admit that in every single original document I've seen, 90 plus percent of the unit had them. I'd certainly like to see evidence of a widespread lack of them.

 

[johan_steele]

At the route step, the manuals (Gilhams & Hardees at least, I believe) call for "arms at will." I agree that they likely carried them however it was most comfortable.

However, I did see a YT video recently (I forget which creator) where the host pointed out that you can usually tell a good historical movie from a bad one by the way they carry their arms. His example was from WWI and WWII photos where the soldiers' methods of carry almost always emulate the methods instructed in their drill. Whereas poorly directed soldier actors carry their weapons like hunters or other nonmilitary.

I also agree that slings may not have been ubiquitous, but must admit that in every single original document I've seen, 90 plus percent of the unit had them. I'd certainly like to see evidence of a widespread lack of them.

Thank you for the correction. At the route step and arms at will is certainly the proper command.

Slings often depend upon the timing, location and even unit. It's useful to be able to see returns where the number of slings are noted. The CS almost certainly had less slings than the US due to their leather shortages but I've read of US units with Enfields being issued new Springfields commenting favorably on having slings and laughing at men who had to be taught how to attach their slings properly.

When the 4th MN received M1841's while at Jefferson Barracks one Cos D,iirc, received M1855 rifles instead but no slings for them. I believe they received slings around the time of Iuka.

 

[RedRover]

Route Step!

 

[W Charles Young]

As a former reenactor, when we got the ok for arms at will, right shoulder shift was very comfortable. If I slung the rifle, it only works like in the sketches above…butt end up. It absolutely does not work the other way.

 

[The Ninth Ohio]

As a former reenactor, when we got the ok for arms at will, right shoulder shift was very comfortable. If I slung the rifle, it only works like in the sketches above…butt end up. It absolutely does not work the other way.

You can adjust the strap so the majority of the slack is at the barrel end. But IMO it was more hassle than it was worth. I always just cinched it to the run of the barrel as tight as it would go.

 

[Old Soldier]

Use of the sling in shooting - it could be used BUT unless you knew that before you joined, no one told you. The civil war used the rifle musket like a smoothbore musket, initially because they did not know any better, but increasingly because all they wanted was volume of fire. Skill-at-Arms training was for rapidity of shot, volume, not marksmanship. If you knew how to shoot at distant targets, it was something you knew before you joined. The Springfield M1861 and M63 only had three non adjustable sights on the - a snapshooting sight (100yards) and two leafs for 300 and 500 yards. This for a rifle capable of reasonably accurate shooting out to 600 yards.

Yes, the Enfield P1853 was the same accuracy-wise, but the graduated leaf sight gave ranges out to 1000m. NO, it was not so accurate beyond 400 yards (like the M1861), but you could create a beaten zone, by a company shooting at those extended ranges - but that was rarely done and apparently not taught. Marksmen could use the sling and that was often taught in basic training for European rifle regiments and shooting clubs. The 'slip loop' on many slings was not condusive to using it as support, but those that had a buckle adjustment could. Most marksmen and sharpshooters appear to gave rested the rifle forestock rather than use the sling - something which was anathema to our Skill-at-Arms instructors in the 60s and 70s.

 

[Old Soldier]

Slinging the rifle. With the older rifles the 'right shoulder shift' or 'slope arms' was a comfortable carry. The weight was on the top of the shoulder.* Slinging arms depended on the position of the sling swivels, most being from middle band to trigger guard, although the P 53s were top band to trigger guard. Only the short rifles had a butt swivel. They were designed like that so they could be slung butt-up in wet weather to avoid a wet bore (the rain stopped the dust too!). Skirmishers and rifle units tended to sling in close country, but the 'trail' (held horizontal in one hand at point of balance) was preferred.

* With the new L85 bullpup the 'slope arms' was reintroduced but the bayonet is always fixed on parades to help counteract the low point of balance. On parade, there is now always a 'Change Arms' given every so often (swap shoulders) as it is murder on the hand and arm because little weight is borne by the shoulder.

 

[Trooper "D"]

Route Step!

View attachment 570209

View attachment 570210

View attachment 570211

Perfect examples!

 

[peacefulanimalguy7]

As a former reenactor, when we got the ok for arms at will, right shoulder shift was very comfortable. If I slung the rifle, it only works like in the sketches above…butt end up. It absolutely does not work the other way.

I slung a musket barrel up at one event while we were marching for what felt like half a mile, and it tired my hand holding the sling

 

[Trooper "D"]

I slung a musket barrel up at one event while we were marching for what felt like half a mile, and it tired my hand holding the sling

I have always slung my weapons barrel downward holding the barrel for support. Never had a problem. My .69 Cal. Enfield knock off carbine slings across my whole body at an angle. Lightweight India construction. Barrel up with muskets is uncomfortable to me. I agree with you that it is tiring.
Cheers!

 

[JimW]

Route Step!

Those are about perfect! Are there any actual photos like these?

 

[RedRover]

Those are about perfect! Are there any actual photos like these?

Yeah. Here's some G.I.'s with their guns slung.

Photographic Compilation of Federal Enlisted Men Wearing Dark Blue Pants in 1862 and Beyond — The Liberty Rifles

www.libertyrifles.org

 

[JimW]

Ah! So carried similar to a modern rifle, looks like different ways were done.

 

[RedRover]

Ah! So carried similar to a modern rifle, looks like different ways were done.

When out of the ranks, or on the march at the route step, the soldiers could carry their guns however they pleased.

 

[Old Soldier]

We had the same thing - March Easy. You could break step and carry your arms any way you wanted. Indian troops 1919

 

[JackADriscoll]

Anyone ever go cross body?

 

[captaindrew]

Anyone ever go cross body?

Yes, a few times when helping carry equipment and needed both hands free. It's not very comfortable and takes some time to do. You have to loosen the sling all the way and get it over your head. Really tough if you have on a knapsack and/or a bedroll but can be done. One thing you need to remember though at a rout step you can carry your rifle however you want and not stay in step but that could change at a moment's notice. You always need to be at a somewhat state of readiness while in formation. Going cross body isn't really practical.