Rifle sling

[Bgraber]

I am looking to make myself a rifle sling. Not looking for any mechanical fastners. Thinking loop to loop attachment. Any ideas or favorite designs out there?

 

[Artificer]

Bg,

My best friend in life had a sling made in the late 60's, similar to the one shown in the Chappel Portrait of Daniel Morgan, to use on his very nice custom built Pre AWI Flintlock Rifle. HOWEVER, what he did not know then was the artist who painted that portrait was not born until around 25 years after Morgan's death and did not paint the portrait until around 50 years after Morgan's death. So rifle, sling, sword and gear are all the artist's conception; not something painted from real life.
https://www.niceartgallery.com/Alonzo-Chappel/Portrait-of-Daniel-Morgan-(1736-1802).html

Track of the Wolf has some slings with loops or ties on both ends that may give you some ideas. If you wished, you could make something similar from all leather or a combination of leather and webbing as they did.
https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/55/1


Gus

 

[Bgraber]

Thanks for the reply.... I guess what I am looking for is pretty simple in design and I shouldnt over think it

 

[Artificer]

During most of the period of this forum and for the most part, slings were for Military Muskets and Rifles and thus had sling swivels mounted for the slings.

The one main exception to that was civilian Jaeger Rifles, which had a sort of button headed screw that was screwed into the bottom of the stock behind the trigger guard and a swivel up front for the sling. That swivel up front had a screw that went through the fore arm of stock and through a special and extremely necessary barrel tennon lug that took the stress off the slender/somewhat fragile wood of the fore arm of the stock. (Military Guns had the same kind of barrel tennon lug for their front swivels as well and the rear swivel screw normally went though a strengthened boss in the front of the trigger guard.)

However, only an extremely small number of American style Flintlock Rifles were known to have had such swivels fitted. They certainly had the technology to do it, but it seems they just did not feel the need or wanted to go to the expense to do it. Civilian Percussion rifles and most smooth civilian guns also rarely, if ever, had swivels and slings fitted.

Some of us tend to think that the few times in the period civilians may have used a sling was something like when they took a deer and may have used a simple piece of rope to sling their rifle/smoothbore over their back to free their hands to drag the deer. Of course, they may just drug it by the antlers or head in one hand and held the rifle or smoothbore in the other.

A sling with loops on each end and perhaps an adjustment buckle somewhere in the middle of the sling would be all one would need for a sling that could easily be put on or taken off the rifle or gun. Personally I would sew the front loop shut and make it so the loop would be just large enough to slip over the front sight, barrel and fore arm. There are at least a couple ways to make the rear loop capable of going over the rear of the butt stock and tightened behind the trigger guard. One thing I would suggest especially for the rear loop is if you use any kind of metal buckle for it, make sure it won't contact the wood or it will scratch/ding/dent the wood.

Gus

 

[50cal.cliff]

Here are a couple off the net!
http://www.octobercountry.com/universal-sling/
http://www.accu-riser.com/rs-5008-universal-sling/

 

[Twisted_1in66]

Here's a fancy one from Orvis:
Non-marring shotgun sling

It uses the loops on the ends to secure it. If you're good with leather you could certainly make something similar for a fair amount less than this one sells for.

Twisted_1in66 :thumbsup:
Dan

 

[LongrifleDoc]

Here's a fancy one from Orvis:

It uses the loops on the ends to secure it. If you're good with leather you could certainly make something similar for a fair amount less than this one sells for.

Twisted_1in66 :thumbsup:
Dan

That Orvis sling is nice but as you stated is expensive at over $100.00. These are $40.00 and seem closer to a period design.
http://www.accu-riser.com/rs-5008-universal-sling/ http://www.accu-riser.com/products/Universal-Sling.html

I just use a wide rope tied the same way. Cheaper and takes up a lot less room.

 

[Black Hand]

These are $40.00 and seem closer to a period design.

Less expensive - yes.
Period design - not so much (but better than a nylon strap). The strap of leather over the barrel looks like it would interfere with period sights. Might work well to carry your gun AFTER a successful hunt...

 

[LongrifleDoc]

These are $40.00 and seem closer to a period design.

Less expensive - yes.
Period design - not so much (but better than a nylon strap). The strap of leather over the barrel looks like it would interfere with period sights. Might work well to carry your gun AFTER a successful hunt...

You're correct.
Still, I figure that a piece of rope tied on the same way would be period appropriate even if not documented.

 

[Black Hand]

The one on my rifle is Chamois leather backed with pillow ticking (ends have the ticking sandwiched between 2 thicknesses of leather and the ties go through a hole). The thin chamois leather ties wrap tightly around the barrel/over the middle rammer pipe or the front of the trigger guard. The tie is about 1/16th inch above the barrel flat and does not interfere with my sights. Total investment: about $12 for leather (with most left over for other projects) and a few hours of my time...

 

[BrownBear]

...I figure that a piece of rope tied on the same way would be period appropriate even if not documented.

I dunno about that.

Rope was real spendy stuff in the day and hard to come by on the frontier. You sure wouldn't be hacking a hunk off a good rope just for a piddly rifle sling.

Might think more along the lines of a whang or braiding your own rope from leather if you really insist on a rope.

 

[Onojutta]

Black Hand,
Have you had any issues with that front tie leaving wear marks on the wood?

 

[Black Hand]

None at all. The maple is far harder than the soft leather thong...

 

[Stumpkiller]

I have one that is a T/C design/product. Fits everything from my little 27" bbl. New Englander to my 44" bbl. Lehigh.

A slit on each end. Sew a strap across the butt end slit to keep it from riding up the stock. Loop the front over the barrel.