When were slings first used?

[walley]

This is just a question out of curiosity, but when
were slings first used on blackpowder weapons? I've
watched a few war movies where slings were used,
but don't know if they were PC or not. Don't remember
a mountain man movie with slings used.
I was just wandering what era they were introduced.

Thanks

 

[Pittsburghunter]

My guess is the first guy who invented a gun carried it around for a few days and said to himself " well this @#%&& is heavy, I need a easy way to carry it"

Just my guess on when slings started to be used.

 

[Claude Mathis]

About halfway though, this discussion turns to "slings"...
[url] http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/196200[/url]/

 

[walley]

Thanks Claude,
Interesting thread. :thumbsup:

 

[Henry]

The early slings rings were called " grenadières "
in French , they were used by the " grenadiers "
to have their hands free to throw grenades ,
that was in the mid XVII th (around ) 1650

A sling would have been very ackward on a
matchlock :nono:

 

[steve stanley]

To back that up...first british mention I can find,is with the introduction of Grenadier companies in the 1670's..then for other troops who might need "hands-free"..dragoons..fusiliers(originally artillery escort)..marines...seems as all these used flintlocks,it became usual for flintlocks to have slings...as their use spread,so did slings.
Steve