doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com "Thong String" Slings

I'm a new forum member (and a long-time lurker) with a question for the many knowledgable members, here. I'm planning on putting a carrying sling on an original Winchester low wall fitted with the factory sling eyelets (one screwed into the buttstock and one dovetailed into the barrel). Some judicious internet reading tells me that these large-hole eyelets (at least the one on the barrel) were not really designed for any kind of metal swivel (including the Winchester hooks) but, instead, were designed to have a "thong string" sling laced into the eyelet with a three turn clinch knot. These large hole eyelets were common on a variety of other single-shot and sporting rifles of the time and so, apparently, were "thong string" slings. Can anybody tell me more about them? Can anybody tell me where I might be able to find one? Or, can anybody describe one well enough for me to make one, or have one made?

Thanks,

Lowaller (Bill)

Bill,

Welcome to the forum.

I don't believe that I have seen anything like your talking about. Sounds like it would wear fast and keep the local gunsmith busy.

Can you post a picture, sounds like they are bigger then the one (below) that I am familiar with.

The sling you describe is known as an English style rifle sling. There are no metal attachments, but instead tie directly to the swivel eyes. They can be ordered from Jeff's Outfitters in Missouri.

Old examples of the type of sling you are talking about are scarce as the small thong broke frequently, and the sling was recut until useless and then discarded. An A. Henry double rifle sold at the last Julia sale had what appeared to be an original example from 1885. As I recall it was of white rawhide with a standard leather covered snap loop at one end. The thin thong tip [missing] was cut into the other end at a long dished taper. I think this sling treatment was more prevelant than we think during the late 19th century, and was probably the reason for the fluted "Alex Henry" type forend; which gave a larger area for the sling to be tied. I have a Daniel Fraser SS stalking rifle with a recessed eye provision for a sling on the butt with none on the barrel. It is fitted with an old, possibly original, sling;with standard hook at rear. The forepart is cut to make a loop which slips around the barrel. This end has been re-fashoned at least once so may not be the original method of attachment. It has, however, been this way for a long time. This method of attaching a sling to the barrel is completly silent when in use, and I suspect is the reason for its use; especially when stalking with sling in place.

All the best, Mal

Mal,
Being a fan of the work of Daniel Fraser, would it be possible for you to post pics of your rifle?
Thanks.

Your thoughts on the DF fluted forearm are very interesting and I had not considered that as a reason for them.

LRF,

I'm about 1200 miles from my rifle at this time. Will try to post pics when I'm "back up north" in about a month. The rifle is best quality, fully engraved, take down, tang safe, light weight, in 400/.360. Sights are unusual with standing and folding leaves "cut away" at 45 degree angles from notches to give more "view". There are also folding leaves regulated for the same distances that are "standard".

One of my favorite rifles!

Mal

Gentlemen......thanks for the welcome and your thoughts on this subject. I can't post a picture but hopefully viewing the discussion and pictures at the follwing website will help show what I'm talking about. Scroll about halfway down this page and there are two pictures and a discussion of the "thong strip" sling.

http://www.traderkeith.com/tradersecrets.html

Michael....what I have is an eyelet dovetailed into the barrel as your picture shows, although mine seems to be oriented differently, with the hole in the eyelet perpendicular to the line of the barrel. I also have a couple of the long shank hooks like the one in the picture, and some shorter shank hooks which I think I originally found listed for pre-1964 Winchester model 70's and 54's. I would agree that the idea of tying a sling directly to a rifle has some obvious pluses and minuses. Should be quiet and mar free, but will need to be checked frequently to make sure the leather doesn't fail and drop everything in the dirt. I would think some of the tougher saddle leathers, when softened with Lexol and carefully knotted would be pretty durable in this useage, but I'm definitely no expert on leather crafting either.

Bill

drool!!!!!!!!

Go home...take pictures

I"m not the best person to discuss slings with, I hate them. The first thing I do when I get a rifle that has a sling is to remove it. If it's tough getting off I use my knife.

They have their place in the field but IMO nowhere else. They catch on stuff, they break or come loose. I might use a rifle with a sling wrapped around the barrel but no-way through a sling eye. An accident waiting to happen.

"To sling, or not to sling"......is probably the subject for a much lengthier discussion and a new thread for sure. Since one of the two primary reasons I used to use slings on my one-piece stocked rifles (properly positioned and tensioned they aid in stabilizing field positions) is pretty well not available on all my two-piece stocked single shots, a sling simply becomes a carrying strap. In this case I'm considering a carrying strap because I've run out of hands to haul my stuff in the field. The rifle in question is a takedown low wall, and I acquired a second front end a couple of years ago with a rotted out bore that is now relined in 17Mach2. Hauling it around in the field while chasing ground squirrels here in central Oregon, along with my shooting sticks and a buttpad or shooting stool, leaves me at least one hand short, it seems, or thinking about borrowing a shopping cart from my local Safeway. I'm normally not much of a fan of slings either, but sometimes you just have to think inside the box and, admittedly, the "thong string" sling or carrying strap was probably the "hot" ticket for field carry a hundred plus years ago. Another alternative I might try is suggested by Mal - a shotgun sling that just uses two adjustable leather loop attached to the strap. One loop around the grip and the other around the barrel or forend.

Bill