accoutrement for '76

[hhughh]

With due apologies, I snatched this pic from a previous post.  Three questions:  Would a rig like this work with a 28" bbl rifle?  And, if so, who could I talk to about getting one made?  And, would one be compatible to both a '76 and a '73, or would you need a separate one designed for the "smaller" gun?

Have been considering picking up a scabbard for my new Uberti, but this really caught my eye.

Thanks,
Hugh

[Niederlander]

I'm sure there are others who could do it, but I'd talk to Buck Stinson.  His work is as good or better than the originals at a fair price.  He's also quite knowledgeable about the '76, and I think might even have one or two he could use for a model!

[Hobie]

I don't know that I'd actually ride with it, but it would work because it isn't dependent on barrel length.  We've discussed this before and it is an easy creation.  Apparently a number were made by the troopers themselves.  Buck can also make an authentic NWMP saddle scabbard if you want one. 

[hhughh]

Hobie,
   So that I can do some searches and locate the "discussion" you refer to, what, exactly, is the proper term for the item?

Hugh

[Hobie]

Hobie,
   So that I can do some searches and locate the "discussion" you refer to, what, exactly, is the proper term for the item?

Hugh

We called it a pommel boot for the rifle among other things which escape me at the moment.   

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

The NWMP called it a "carbine sling".  It had a a strap that wrapped around the lever and wrist. Maybe Rattlesnake Jack can provide a photo.

Arms & Accoutrements of the Mounted Police 1873 - 1973, Phillips and Klancher, Museum Restration Services 1982, page 150

[hhughh]

Thanks for all the replies.  Got an email from Buck---why I love this forum so much---who cleared some things up for me.  Going to lean toward an actual scabbard again now.

Regards,
Hugh

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Thanks for all the replies.  Got an email from Buck---why I love this forum so much---who cleared some things up for me.  Going to lean toward an actual scabbard again now.

Regards,
Hugh

Hugh;  I think you made the right choice.  The NWMP used the carbine sling on short patrols.  On a long journey the scabbard, or boot,(Same item, different name.) was preferred.

[RattlesnakeJack]

My apologies for being so late coming along ......

Here are the images of the NWMP Pattern 1883 carbine sling from Arms & Accoutrements of the Mounted Police -




One of quite a few period photos I have seen showing the pommel sling in use -




The Force began acquiring buckets (scabbards) for their Winchesters in 1887 - here is one mounted to a cavalry pattern saddle (rather than the "California" saddles most commonly used for patrolling) ....




Mind you .... if you can do without one of these funky accessories .... and want to save money ..... you could just use the built-in "saddle ring" and the ties on the saddle, as shown in this c. 1900 photo -

[Buck Stinson]

The scabbard shown hanging vertical from the saddle is the one I offer for the NWMP carbines.

[Trailrider]

The main "problems" I see with actually using either the carbine sling/pommel scabbard especially with a long-barrelled rifle is that the barrel and the stock stick out quite a bit on either side of the horse.  This wouldn't be a problem operating in open country, but could be a real problem riding through dense timber country! The other main problem would be drawing the rifle from the device while mounted.  You might need to get your arm stretched! Which wouldn't do much for buying shirts with arms of equal length! 

The problem with hanging the rifle muzzle down behind the rider, just using the saddle ring and no scabbard is mud and dirt kicked up by the horse could plug the muzzle of the barrel, and that would go double if the horse went to its knees on soft ground!  The vertical-hanging scabbard, with a closed end is a much better choice, IMHO.  Also, I prefer using a "southeast" carry, with the rifle in a scabbard, sights up, muzzle forward angled under my right leg.  A retaining strap or thong can be used to keep the rifle from sliding out of the scabbard when going uphill.  When dismounting, a shorter rifle/carbine can be easily drawn prior to dismounting, or you can reach across the horse's rump after alighting to the left side.  The only caveat is that the scabbard must be short enough or angled so as to not hit the horse's right foreleg when it comes back in stride.

The alternatives are the "northeast carry" with the rifle hanging sights down and muzzle to the rear, with the barrel under the right leg, or a "northwest" carry with the rifle muzzle down and angled under the left leg, muzzle-to-the-rear.  The carry with the buttstock forward is more likely to get hung up on brush, but is preferred by a lot of hunters.