Add sling to Spencer?

[Loco Smith]

I want to add a sling to my Taylor 56 50. Where and what works for the front band?? Thanks for the help..Loco

[St. George]

Rifle or Carbine?

If a Rifle - then one of the replica Union slings will work well.

If a Carbine - they were designed to be carried by the Carbine Sling and the swivel hook was for the sliding loop and bar, while the sling was worn over the shoulder, and the muzzle in the boot attached to the McClellan saddle - like the Sharps Carbines were carried.

Civilians dispensed with that particular arrangement if they carried a Spencer after the War.

Slings of both types are available at:

Dixie Gun Works - www.dixiegunworks.com

S&S Firearms - www.ssfirearms.com

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Two Flints]

Hi,

Just came across this web site, of any value?

http://cwsutler.hypermart.net/InstSling.html

Also, this link, scroll down to L-2

http://www.crescentcitysutler.com/Musketaccess.html

Two Flints

[Loco Smith]

its the carbine. I want to add a sling.  Is there a front band that can be installed so i'll have a front sweviel?? TFTH  Loco

[Two Flints]

Loco,

Check with S&S Firearms.  www.ssfirearms.com

In their on-line catalog, they show a Front & Rear Sling Swivel (#SP174) that goes with their Middle (Spencer Rifle) Band (#SP139).  Maybe these two parts will work with your 56-50 Carbine.  But, you should check with them. You will also need a screw to connect the swivel to the band.  Check with S&S for the correct catalog # for the screw.

And, there is another option as reproduced below from the Marcot book on Spencer Firearms.




Two Flints

[Black River Smith]

Two Flint has posted the picture I was going to refer you too.  It can be found on page 164 of Marcot's book 'Spencer Repeating Firearms'.

Also search this forum for 'forearm bands'.  I believe someone posted that they bought a Sharps Carbine forearm band (it does have a sling swivel attached) and it simply slid on with no fitting required.

I did the search for you.  Go to this posting and read Capt. John Jarrets' comment.  Think this will help you.

http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,7671.0.html

Good luck.

[Captain John Jarrett]

Hello Loco,

Call Taylors and order the front barrel band w/sling swivel for their Sharps Rifle reproduction, fits on the Spencer perfectly. I did this to the Spencer carbine I had (sold it last month) so I know it will and does work. Also, the reproduction Enfield (or was it Springfield-will have to check that out to be sure) percussion rifle-musket sling work's great with this set up; had it on mine and makes it very handy to carry around.

Regards, Capt. John

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Use the 1861 Springfield sling.  The Enfield is a might too long.

[Mike Union Guards]

Capt John, Sharps rifle front barrel band with swivel? Are you sure, it's not the Sharps rifle middle band with swivel?
Thanks, Mike Union Guards

[Captain John Jarrett]

 Tuolumne & Mike,

You are both correct, it is the Springfield sling and the Sharps middle barrel band that needs to be ordered.

Capt. John

[Bead Swinger]

From my bits of research, I think the Marcot photo is pretty representative of how the Carbine was slung; I'd love to hear some more comments about if these came with the carbines when issued. For a regular, non-horesback shooter like me, this is what I'd do.

The question is, is anyone making repros of these?  If you can find someone, then great. If not, I'll make one up for you.  If you send a Springfield sling, I'll modify it into a Spencer carbine sling like the one in the Marcot photo. If this is of interest, then feel free to contact me off the list. They don't look that hard to modify. 

On the other hand, you can always purchase the Cavalry sling, complete with swivel to attach to the carbine ring, and sling it like a Sharps. It's a little bulky, and not as convenient, but very cool in its own way.  The issue Carbine Slings can be had from a number of sources, including S&S Firearms.

[Two Flints]

Loco,

Thought I'd add this photo of a Spencer with sling swivel, as I think you started this thread in the first place.

Two Flints



Closeup of Swivel and strap:

[Oregon Bill]

Wonderful thread on the very question I had about my Armi Sport carbine in .56-50!

[38OVI]

I have the Rifle, and took the sling from my 1842 Springfield to use on it.  Works fine and gives enough of a "drop" loop to be able to work the action.  The  1842 sling is  a bit longer than the 1861 sling - tried both and prefer the 1842.

[Drydock]

I too use the Sharps middle band and a repro Sharps rifle sling, really handy for toting the Spencer Carbine about.