Saddle Ring on Carbines

[Baron von Haltomstadt]

As a youth, I recall having a short leather lace through the saddle ring of my Daisy BB gun. Now that I have several saddle ring equipped carbines, I find I don't know that I have ever run across the real purpose and (more important to me today) the proper methods of utilizing the ring. I would guess that there are several accepted uses for the ring. What are they?

[St. George]

There was only one 'real' use for the Saddle Ring - but that use was military.

Uncle Sam's Cavalry Carbines were slung over the shoulder by a wide belt that featured a snaphook that the ring was hooked to, with the muzzle stuck through a leather 'boot' or 'thimble' attached to the mount's rigging.

It kept the weapon with the Trooper on horse and on foot and the muzzle kept the weapon from bouncing around when mounted.

There are a number of prints and paintings that feature a mounted Trooper in the act of firing his Carbine, and you'll see the method of carry.

Winchester clearly wanted the Army to see the 'utility' of their products and so - they attached the ring to the receiver.

No civilian slings have been noted.

By the time the lever actions were popular - so were saddle scabbards.

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Baron von Haltomstadt]

Thank you for the reply and information. I can see how the introduction of the scabbard precluded a shoulder sling for civilian use, I just wonder why the manufacturers continued to place rings on lever carbines, destined for civilian sales, long after any military need?

[St. George]

They're still being installed at the factories - largely because they're 'expected' to be there - but insofar as their continued use at the time - who knows?

The Army still issued a sling as late as the Model 1896 Krag Carbine - and that Carbine featured a 'ring and bar' arrangement much like that seen on the Spencer - but it was discontinued with the adoption of the longer saddle scabbard...

Vaya,

Scouts Out!

[Grapeshot]

It was also used with a stout piece of rawhide or latigo to secure the carbine to the saddle horn in lieu of a rifle scabard.  Wasn't all that fast to get back into action, even using a half-hitch or sheeps shank but it stayed put.  Some were carried this way so much that it left a huge dip worn into the forearm as it was carried 'tween the rider and saddle horn.

[Trooper Joe]

Hi Gang,

I know this is a terrible crime , but I just took off the ring from my SS Rossi, .45 Colt carbine, since I wanted to hunt with it.  The ring was making a lot of noise in the woods. 

There is now a mall leather loop where the ring used to live.

(PS, before I get wiipped, etc., I saved the ring and can put it back on with no trouble.)

Just my comment.....

Trooper Joe