What is this? Slings on shotguns

[RickyTexan]

Hi team
Would anyone be able to help me learn whether shotguns used during the war had slings? I have seen pictures of shotguns and have not seen any with swivels, let alone slings.
Thank
Ricky

 

[Grayrock Volunteer]

Yes, significant numbers of militarized shotguns were fitted with sling swivels. You might consider getting a copy of "Confederate & Southern Agent Marked Shotguns".

 

[RickyTexan]

Thanks so much. I saw a leather belt that looped around the barrel and stock in a nooselike fit on a shotgun built in the 1800s and wondered whether that was just added or authentic. I imagine sling swivels would be easier.

 

[Tanglewood]

I own a shotgun pictured in the book "Confederate Southern Agent Marked Shotguns", made by the noted New Orleans gunmaker Revol. It has a rear sling swivel added, apparently at the same time as a repair to the stock under the breech, but it has no front swivel. I was told by one of the authors that looping the front of the sling over the barrel as you described was common. It was somewhat difficult to fit a front sling swivel to a shotgun, having no fore stock or barrel bands, and the sling looped over the barrel did not affect aiming of a shotgun.

 

[Lanyard Puller]

I agree with Tanglewood's remarks. I also have some of the pictured shotguns

Rear swivels were not uncommon, some added on and some designed with the original shotgun. Bayonet lugs and front swivels are very rarely seen.

You bought a very useful book, as knowing what they looked like makes it a lot easier to snag one, at a gun show.
The chapter on bayonets is alone worth the price of the book.