What's a saddle ring for?

[Homesteader]

I've got a Sharps carbine with a saddle ring. My main interest is the revolutionary period, so I don't know much about these. (Love it, though. Great rifle and lots of fun.)

Exactly what is that little bar and ring used for? How is it supposed to work? I doubt I'll be riding a horse into battle any time soon, but I would like to know.

Thanks!

 

[rabjr]

That would be hooked to a belt so it was ready for use by Calvary while on horse back.

 

[Swampman]

It was attached to a belt like shoulder sling so it could be dropped after the shot.

After that it was swords and Colts.

A right handed shooter wore this on his left shoulder and across his chest. The swivel was about waist level on his right hip.

 

[pulaski]

homesteader
The bar and ring are for attachment to the shoulder sash as stated above .
The theory was that in the event a rider was thrown from his horse he would still have his rifle , as the horse ran off .
The horses that the cavalry had were not the most well trained . Usually they were cross breeds selected for hight and stamina (range animals).

 

[kansas_volunteer]

It is from the heavy snap on the shoulder belt, the snap that fasted into the saddle ring, that we get our modern word carabineer, more often used to name a piece of mountain climbing gear.

 

[Homesteader]

Thanks to all for the answers. I do appreciate it.
:thumbsup:

 

[2172]

the sling across the chest is the reason that the map symbol for cavalry is a single slash across the block, as opposed to infantry, which is an "X" (for the cross belts)..this carries forward to the heraldry of regimental crests...Hank (when you have this much useless knowledge, you've got to dump it where you can)

 

[roundball]

:grin:

But still its always interesting to learn things like this...its amazing how many little sayings are still used today which have their roots back in the day...
Lock, stock, and barrel
Flash in the pan
Going off half cocked
Keep your powder dry
etc
etc

 

[Dphar]

Carrying carbines on such a sling was the reason the Sharps and other percussion breech loaders, the Spencer etc. were so popular in the Civil War. A ML arm so slung would be unloaded in a few miles of horse travel unless a patched ball was used.
Why there was never a "minie ball" cavalry carbine in the US Army.

Dan

 

[cpinkhaminsc]

In my 23 years of military map reading, I never thought of that. Makes too much sense, dang!
:thumbsup:
Charles

 

[jdstrang]

I also have heard -- but cannot state it as a fact -- that cavalry on the move would stick the barrels of their so-slung Sharps down the outer inside of their right boot, sort of a built-in scabbard. Anybody verify that?