Winchester Slings

[OKDEE]

Does anyone know of any stores/dealers that I can checkout and see about getting a leather sling for my Winchester 1876 rifle?

I would like it to be somewhat leaning toward what is the original style, of course....
Thanks
Oklahoma Dee

[Forty Rod]

I got the Winchester hook-and-eye type from Dixie. They also have a Henry-type sling that works.

Eventually they will be on all my lever rifles and possibly on my SxS double guns as well.

[MJN77]

What about period sling mounts? Anybody know of any?

[Forty Rod]

Like I said.

These were common on Improved Henry (1866) rifles to use the Henry-style sling.  I've seen them a few times on '73 rifles and (once) on a '94.

R. L. Wilson's book shows them on a '76 (p.89).

I put them on my '66, '73, and '95 so far.

The front ring is designed to go through a nose cap, but can be threaded into a barrel band.

[Buck Stinson]

You will see slings eyes on the 1876 Winchester, but they are rare.   Most customers wanting this special order extra, ordered sling and swivels.  It is difficult to describe how the front swivel was made and attached to the nose cap.  The swivel loop has a round flat burr machined on a rivet post.  The nose cap actually has a round flat milled on the bottom to accept the round burr on the swivel.   There is also a corresponding flat milled on the inside of the nose cap.  When the swivel post is placed through the hole, another small washer or burr is peened over on the head of the post.  When done correctly, the swivel will turn freely and still remain flush with the bottom of the nose cap.  The rear swivel loop and base are not even close to the ones used on the Henry or early 1866 Winchester rifles.  They are however, nearly identical to the one use on the very early pre-war Model 54 and Model 70 and set into the buttstock in the same way.  I have several original '76 Wnchester with factory sling swivels and they are all mounted 4 1/4" from the toe of the buttplate to the center of the swivel base.   The main difference in the Model 70 swivel and the one used for the 1876, is that the swivel loop on the M-70 will take a 1" sling and the '76 swivel loop will take a full 1 1/4" leather sling.

[MJN77]

Thank you sir.

[OKDEE]

Thank you all,

Forty Rod, I decided to go with the swivels that mounted to the nose cap, and into the buttstock, as Buck mentioned.

Thank you Buck, I sent you a PM, concerning the leather sling.

MJN77, if you are interested in what I have, send me a PM and I will send you some information.

Cheers,
Oklahoma Dee

[MJN77]

Thank you for the info OKDEE.