Who makes the most authentic military Henry Sling?

Roscoe Coles · February 12, 2013, 10:08:53 PM

I picked up a nice very lightly used Henry military model for a song over the weekend to go with my engraved Navy Arms one (one of the first 1,000 made). The new gun came with a sling but a pretty poor one. I have looked on line and found a few slings (there is a nice private purchase one based on an original), but I would prefer a proper military one.

St. George · February 12, 2013, 10:22:59 PM

Look deeper on the 'Barracks' or the 'Historical Society' forum - there have been a couple of threads and recommendations.

There really isn't much to the sling - it was designed to help carry the weapon - not to act like a shooting aid.

Scouts Out!

Roscoe Coles · February 13, 2013, 12:04:01 AM

Well, according to the books, there was a great deal of variety in the Henry slings. I don't want it to be a shooting aid, and I know what a number of the surviving originals look like. The question is who makes the most authentic one now. I will go look at the lists you mention.

St. George · February 13, 2013, 08:38:42 AM

That'd be a good idea...

Take a look at Dixie - they handle the most commonly-available sling, and they all get them from the same source.

Scouts Out!

MJN77 · February 13, 2013, 11:45:19 AM

I would advise against getting a Henry sling from Dixie Gun Works. I have one. The hardware is ok, but the leather is junk. It's kinda stretchy. Feels like Indian or Pakistani quality. If you want a good quality sling call Dell's leather works or C&D Jarnagin.

http://www.dellsleatherworks.com/henry-riflesling.htm
http://www.jarnaginco.com/catframe.html

Roscoe Coles · February 13, 2013, 09:39:34 PM

Quote from: St. George on February 13, 2013, 08:38:42 AM
That'd be a good idea...

Take a look at Dixie - they handle the most commonly-available sling, and they all get them from the same source.

Scouts Out!

The gun came with what looks like a Dixie sling and its junk. The hook loop is the wrong size, it is held on by a cheap modern rivet, the buckle does not match originals, it is not sewed on (as is seen on the originals) and the leather is pretty poor.

The CD Jarnigan Henry sling is nice and matches an original private purchase one that I have seen.

The one at Dell's leather works appears much better than the Dixie one, but it is wider than the originals (which appear to have been mostly 1 inch wide). This may be the result of the size of the loops on the reproductions.

St. George · February 13, 2013, 11:21:14 PM

If I were looking for one - I think the C.D. Jarnigan variety would be a good one - they've been in the sutler business a long time.

Scouts Out!

MJN77 · February 14, 2013, 05:27:01 AM

I agree with St. George. C.D. Jarnagin has a good reputation for quality/authentic stuff. Also, during the Civil War, sutlers followed the armies around, selling all manner of things to the soldiers so a private purchase sling would've been pretty easy to obtain. Or, you could buy the hardware and leather and make your own.

Forty Rod · February 14, 2013, 09:58:17 AM

I bought my Henry in March, 1987 and ordered a sling from Rick Bachmann at Old West Reproductions in Kalispell, Montana. It's very close to several originals I've seen, or seen pictures of, and the quality couldn't be better.

Roscoe Coles · February 14, 2013, 11:46:15 PM

Forty Rod,
I looked on Rick's site, but didn't see any slings listed. I have a number of things from him and he does top notch work.

The Jarnigan sling looks good and they are good folks. I have a note in to them to ask about how their sling installs (it does not seem to have a hook).

MJN77 · February 15, 2013, 04:32:46 AM

QuoteI have a note in to them to ask about how their sling installs (it does not seem to have a hook).

One way to get around using the sling hooks is to put a saddle ring in the front sling mount.
http://merzantique.com/photo/model-1860-henry-rifle-in-caliber-44-rimfire
I did it on mine.

Forty Rod · February 15, 2013, 12:45:13 PM

Quote from: Roscoe Coles on February 14, 2013, 11:46:15 PM
Forty Rod,
I looked on Rick's site, but didn't see any slings listed. I have a number of things from him and he does top notch work.

The Jarnigan sling looks good and they are good folks. I have a note in to them to ask about how their sling installs (it does not seem to have a hook).

It's been 27 years ago since I got mine, but I'd call him and ask. Mine came from Rick with the hardware, but Dixie Gun Works sells an authentic hook-and-swivel set for them. The "long S" hook mounts on the sling in the normal way and snaps through the front loop of the side of the barrel, and the rear of the sling goes through the butt-mounted sling loop (it isn't really a swivel) that comes with the rifle.

BTW, I also found hook-and-eye Winchester style sling mounts and put them on my 66 and 95 Winchesters using Henry-style or early military slings that look much like the old Garand sling only with a single hook.. I takes a hook on each end of the sling and has a wood screw on one and a stud on the other that goes through the nose cap and has a washer that holds it in place. Not trusting "jam" type connections I spot welded mine.

Eventually I'll have them on all my lever action Winchesters and / or repros. They are very handy. Snap on, snap off.