Sword Belt Shoulder Sling

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Does anyone know when the Cavalry quit using the shoulder sling for the sword belt? I'm trying to put together a impression for 1871 and would like to know if I should use the shoulder sling. Thanks

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[Trailrider]

Does anyone know when the Cavalry quit using the shoulder sling for the sword belt? I'm trying to put together a impression for 1871 and would like to know if I should use the shoulder sling. Thanks
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Until the adoption of the Pattern 1874 Sabre Belt, the primary sword/sabre belt was the Pattern of 1851, which was utilized by the Cavalry before, during and after the Civil War, as were a bunch of other accouterments (cap/cartridge pouches, etc.).  Therefore, technically, the shoulder strap was standard prior to 1874.  However, there are a number of references to the fact that many troopers removed the shoulder strap and were either thrown away or lost. At least most of the surviving specimens of the 1851 belt are found without the shoulder strap.  Nevertheless, the rectangular brass fitting on holding the rear sabre hanger straps and the semi-circular ring on the top of the front strap attachment would still be present (unless the trooper cut away the top ring...which could get him in trouble with his company commander).  The best source of information on sword/sabre belts is, "American Military and Naval Belts 1812-1902" by R. Stephen Dorsey.

For your impression c. 1871, it would depend on whether you are dressed for garrison or field duty.  If the former, you would need the shoulder strap.  For field duty, just about anything went!  While the sabre was carried in the field after the CW, its impracticality for use in the Indian Wars campaigned was pretty quickly recognized, and they were either left in garrison or in the supply wagons accompanying the troopers. I would rather suspect that with or without the weight of the sabre, the strap would have shortly become pretty irritating, and would have been removed, at least temporarily.

Best of luck!

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Thanks Trailrider. I knew from research that they were rarely used in the field, but didn't know if they were used in garrison in the early 70's.

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