1873 Trapdoor Rifle Sling Question

[Mogorilla]

My lovely wife got me a Pedersoli Trapdoor Rifle (I only had to book mark it on the catalog, website and leave all the ipads and phones on the Dixie gunworks page).   I have been shooting it a bit courtesy of Wooly Dan's range and noted that I might like a sling to carry this rifle around.   So, I ordered the sling, looked on the web and found a nice detailed bit of instructions on how to install the sling.   I did that.  I realize I am not a small guy, but I struggle to get my wrist between the sling and the rifle, let alone putting it over my shoulder.    I do not think I read the directions incorrectly, because well that would mean I made a mistake and I have never admitted to one of those.   It looks sharp on the rifle, but not practical.   What is the issue?

[Sam Perfye]

Depending on which sling you have (trapdoor, krag, Enfield or some combination) you should be able to punch a few extra holes in it to extend it's length. I'm using a CW Enfield sling on mine and ended up adding four holes to get it usable. Hope this helps.

[Mogorilla]

Thanks.   I will look to see where some additional holes could go.  I may need more than a few.   

[38OVI]

Pictures?  The original I have is made from 2 sewn together  earlier slings, with a button fastener for the butt swivel.

[Pitspitr]

Paul, my guess would be that you have a CW style sling. The trapdoor sling needs to be longer as the sling swivel is at the far end of the barrel. The originals spliced   together two left over CW slings made for the 1861's & 1863's.

[Mogorilla]

That does make sense.   Avoiding my basement for a bit due to a fall, puppy tangled me up.   I think I might be able to punch some more holes and make it work.   Thanks for the help!

[missourijack]

Pictures?  The original I have is made from 2 sewn together  earlier slings, with a button fastener for the butt swivel.

This the sling I have. Any tips on how to rig it ? It's different than the 1887 type, yes ?  Thanks !

[38OVI]

The sling came with the original 1878 Springfield Rifle when my Dad got it after the War (to End all Wars), probably in the early 20's.  They were used for training in (probably) West Virginia when he was a kid.  Anyway, the hook end is two-pronged, the swivel end is a button end with the holes spaced roughly 4" apart.  Obviously, it is made from 2 slings sewen together for a length of 72".  I'll try to add pictures, if they'll fit.

[El Tio Loco]

Mogorilla, If you PM me, I can send you some pictures of my trapdoor with sling. Posting photos on this sight seem to be past my ability.
Ken

[38OVI]

Trying pictures, again.

[38OVI]

another picture

[38OVI]

Third picture

[38OVI]

Hook end of sling

[Mogorilla]

I will get pictures of mine up this weekend.  I actually took it off.  It worked
Well to carry it but i was not a fan of shooting with it on and it did not fit well in the sheath i made.   

[Pitspitr]

So, I thought I'd put together a thread on how I attach the original sling on an 1873 trapdoor Springfield. Bear in mind that it's a little different with the earlier style sling with the standing loop instead of the button. The earlier style has a smaller hook too which makes it easier to thread it through the sling swivels.
With the later button style sling with the double claw hook, the first thing I do is thread the hooked end through the upper sling swivel from the outside to the inside.

Then I thread on the keepers

If I'm setting the sling up for parade or inspection, I put them both on both sides of the sling

Then I run the hook end through the bottom sling swivel from inside to outside.

Then I thread the button end of the hook through the bottom sling from the ouside of the sling to the inside and underneath the hooked end of the sling and button it.

Finally, I pull all the slack out of it that I can and hook it into itself and adjust the keepers.

If I were adjusting it for "Sling Arms" in the field on a march, I'd omit running the hooked end through the lower sling swivel and hook it into itself above the lower sling swivel at a length that I find to be comfortable for carry

[DeaconKC]

That is one of the best demonstrations of how to rig a sling like that! Well done Sir!

[Mogorilla]

Yup, that is a great presentation on it.   I am not a small guy, so the 6th photo was how tight mine was and no way I could carry it that way.  I too did the fix to open it up a bit by omitting running the hooked end through the lower sling swivel and hook it into itself above the lower sling swivel at a length for my girth.   Biggest issue I had was that I measured for making a fringed sheath to fit my scout persona before I got the sling.   When I was finished, it is too tight a fit for the rifle to fit in the case with the sling on.   

Sling came off because the case it going to be used.

[Pitspitr]

I am not a small guy, so the 6th photo was how tight mine was and no way I could carry it that way.

Nobody could. Carrying isn't what that setup is designed for.

[Mogorilla]

So is that just for storage/parade march?   It is not a quick change to unhook that and make it usuable, at least in the new condition.   

[Pitspitr]

So is that just for storage/parade march?   It is not a quick change to unhook that and make it usuable, at least in the new condition.   

yes, and yes