Spencer Carbine Slings

[Bead Swinger]

Hi All -
I've noticed several Armisport repros sporting barrel bands with sling swivels attached.  I can't help but think how practical this is. But it does seem a rather expensive route to take.

Iinstead of a new band and a sling, why not just use a proper carbine sling? Buying both seems expensive. Is it just that no one is making the slings?

[Deadeye Don]

I have a Spencer sling that is historically correct.  One can be obtained from Fall Creek Sutlery.  I find that the sling isnt all that practical for CAS matches, but it looks cool and makes a great part of your Spencer collection.   I think the over the shoulder sling using a replacement band for the forestock would be very nice to have especially for a "woods walk". 
Regards.  Deadeye.
http://www.fcsutler.com/fcleather.asp

[Steel-eye Steve]

The military carbine sling is mainly designed as a carrying tool while mounted and works well for this. It is possible to pull the carbine up over the shoulder, as seen in the attached photo, for carry on the ground, however it rather impractical and rather on comfortable as a field carry.

[Grapeshot]

My Spencer has the side mounted ring and slide as well as the sling swivel in the butstock.  The front barrel band does not have a sling swevil and I am guessing that the Cavalry model used the carbine sling and din not need a shoulder sling like the infantry or Artillery did.

[Deadeye Don]

The military carbine sling is mainly designed as a carrying tool while mounted and works well for this. It is possible to pull the carbine up over the shoulder, as seen in the attached photo, for carry on the ground, however it rather impractical and rather on comfortable as a field carry.

I agree!!

[Judge Roy Bean]

I have a copy of a sling on my Spencer carbine which is a tube of leather that goes over the barrel, sawed to that is the sling that goes to the swivel on the butt. You have to Carry it butt upwards.

[geo]

i got my spencer sling repro from civil war leather. i found i had to pull it up to its shortest adjustment to be able to carry it on the ground without it touching the ground (and i'm 6'2"). the civil war uniform picture book i have shows a photo of a rather short sargent standing with the sling and the carbine; the carbine is well away from the ground. fyi. geo.

[Deadeye Don]

There are actually a couple of sizes out there.  Make sure you get the shortest size as the larger one is actually meant for an Enfield.

[Two Flints]

Deadeye,

Fall Creek Sutlery shows at least two different slings - the one you order with the Spencer and another listed separately.  The former is much more in terms of dollars.  Which one is the more correct?

Two Flints

[Deadeye Don]

The shorter model is the one you want with the Spencer.  The longer one would be good if you were about 7 feet tall.  I think the 72" one is the long one.  I am not sure they are showing the shorter one.  I would just call or email Fall Creek and ask them which one Andy recommends with the Spencer.  I know they initially sold me the longer one first and when I told Andy it was too big he told me the gals sold me the wrong one.  I now have the correct length.  I will measure it when I get home tonight and let you know the length.  I know it is shorter than 6 feet.  The snap swivel  is sold separtely.   I have compared mine with an original and it is quite accurate.   Regards Deadeye.




Original    http://s163.photobucket.com/albums/t283/Psychman/?action=view&current=carbinesling1.jpg

[Deadeye Don]

I measured my sling at home.  It is indeed 72" long.  It works fine for the Spencer Carbine.  Fall Creek does have a longer one but get the 72 incher and it will work fine.  I am 5' 10.   Regards.  Deadeye.

http://www.fcsutler.com/fcleather.asp

[Two Flints]

Deadeye,

I did Email Andy at Fall Creek regarding the correct sling for the Spencer Carbine, but he has not replied as yet.  Thanks for the info.

Two Flints

[Two Flints]

Hello SSS,

I received the following Email from Andy at Fall Creek Sutlers regarding their Spencer sling listings:

"Hi,

The sling that we sell is the Civil War Carbine Sling and is pictured on the listing.
A larger size photo is on our "Leather Goods" page at this link:

http://fcsutler.com/fcleather.asp

or here: 

The Carbine Sling that we sell is 72" long.  The price is $26.00 and the snap swivel is $18.00.  This is the sling (Including the swivel) shown on the web page with the carbines and is $44.00 which includes both sling and swivel.  They are available seperately on our Leather Goods web page as well.

The sling that is "shorter" ( as mentioned by Deadeye) is our Confederate Georgia frame belt.  This is very similar, but does not have the brass tip on the end. Another note is that there is no limit to where the holes can be placed on the sling, so additional holes can be made to fit just about any one.

Let me also add to the confusion regarding the sling swivel on the butt.  I am not sure why this is there, but the prototype had one, and Taylors informed me that the tooling would cost too much to eliminate this on all production models.  Likewise, their full length Spencer rifle HAS the proper sling swivels, and also the carbine bar and ring on the side opposite the hammer (not correct).  Strange indeed, but the cost to eliminate is too much to change the production.

Confusion #2
One can purchase seperately, the middle barrel band from an Armi Sport Sharps Rifle, which has a sling  swivel attached.  This fits the Spencer carbine, and then a person can use the "Enfield" style musket sling.
We had these as a selection on the website, but then the bands were difficult to get for a time and I removed that option.  These bands are now available again. I have only met two people that wanted to use the leather musket sling with their Spencer, as opposed to the carbine sling.  By reading the thread, there may be a few more folks wanting to do this and the option is available.

Please let me know if I can help further. I can probably come up with some closer detail photos if needed.

Thanks,
Andy
Fall Creek Corporation
(765) 482-1861
www.FCSutler.com"

[Bead Swinger]

Hi All -
I was thinking along the lines of the rifle-like sling that goes from the butstock sling swivel, and then connects to a leather wrap that goes around the barrel, Like what Judge Roy Bean was describing.

Thanks for the sources!

[Deadeye Don]

Andy Fulks at Fall Creek Sutlery is top notch.  There aren't many business owners out there that would take the time to write such a detailed and informative response to a query.   Thanks for posting his reply Two Flints.  Regards.  Deadeye.

[Longhornboot]

The correct dimensions for the carbine sling as stated in the 1841 Ordnance manual which remained unchanged untill 1885 were;

Length 56 inches, width 2.5 inches.

Boot.

[Two Flints]

Hello SSS,

Just saw this listing on an auction site about carbine slings.

CIVIL WAR ERA CALVARY CARBINE SLING - 51" long x 2 ½" wide black leather strap terminates in a brass tip on one end and brass two toothed buckle on the other end. Buckle is secured to strap with three copper rivets. Standard issue carbine spring loaded hook marked "O.B. North & Co. New Haven - CT" is present.

Condition:Black leather strap is supple with crackled finish. Brass fittings have a pleasing patina. Two sets of hook adjustment holes are present in trap. Hook assembly is bright metal.





Two Flints

[Longhornboot]

That's nice, I wonder if they've measured the length of the strap or the enclosed area ?
It appears to be bridle leather, so it's probably late war or Frontier issue.

Boot.