Sling for 1st Model Brown Bess

[Alden]

To be fair, back in the day I would look at Godwin slings and wonder how leather ever came that thick. That said, and you'll appreciate this...

...I'm also the guy who thinks Turner Saddlery slings became "spongy." Sorry!

 

[JOHN F]

I have a godwin on my bess and it has served me well. I always tighten it up pre battle time or drilling, but open it up after for walking around to keep it slung..

 

[Artificer]

To be fair, back in the day I would look at Godwin slings and wonder how leather ever came that thick. That said, and you'll appreciate this...

...I'm also the guy who thinks Turner Saddlery slings became "spongy." Sorry!

Back in the 70's, I used a lot of Tandy's White Latigo leather for "Buff" slings and things that often/usually did not need whitening with pipe clay. It ran about 8-10 oz. so it made quite thick slings, belts, sword belts, etc. Are you referring to that leather?
Gus

 

[pargent]

Slings varied quite a bit in this time frame as they were from different sources, Horse Guards held samples of pattern leather equipment that purchasers of kit for Regiments could view but many purchased from other suppliers . I my post , my camp and kit , in photos you will see my SLP fitted with an exact copy of a common sling for the SLP , it is worth noting that LLP slings were at times the same , on this type the buckle does have a tounge .

 

[Artificer]

Would you happen to know what weight leather (thickness) was most commonly used for slings, cartridge box/pouch slings and bayonet slings in the period?

Gus

 

[pargent]

Measurements on kit at hand are:- sling .1" belts for belly box and cartridge box .1" & belly box , cartridge box .15" this may vary a bit due to leather age etc . an different suppliers

 

[Artificer]

Thank you very much.

Gus

 

[Artificer]

Measurements on kit at hand are:- sling .1" belts for belly box and cartridge box .1" & belly box ,

This would be from a 6 to 7 oz. hide, which is common today for many belts.

cartridge box .15" this may vary a bit due to leather age etc . an different suppliers

This would be from a 9 to 10 oz. hide.

Age and use compression may mean each size was originally one ounce higher in each case, though maybe not. I do not know how accurate their oz. weight measurements were in the 18th and early 19th centuries.

That is really good information to have. Thanks again.

Gus

 

[pargent]

The samples that I measured were not dried out and thinned but rather in good condition considering their age so they would be close to their original thickness . Hope this helps .

 

[Artificer]

Yes, it does help. Thank you.
Gus

 

[AK in PA]

Thanks for the replies, all. I left a phone and email message with a sizing question to one of the sutlers in the links, but couldn't get a response and figured they weren't interested. I then considered a sling from Najecki, but saw they make slings in batches, so there could be a lengthy waiting period. So, I decided to make my own. I ordered a 6' x 1-1/2" 8/9 oz. brown oiled-latigo strap from ebay (which I trimmed to 1-3/8"), and a double D brass buckle from Najecki. Both arrived within the week, and I just completed a sling exactly like Grenadier's. I liked the simplicity of that design. It was a super easy project and it looks great! It should work well. :thumbsup:

 

[Artificer]

Good for you! :thumbsup:

Gus