saddle rings

briguy

September 25, 2010 09:32

what was ever the purpose for a saddle ring on the old Winchester lever actions?

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  BigLoop22

  September 25, 2010 14:02

  briguy,
  
  The "saddle ring" used to be called a sling ring, and was meant for use by horse-mounted soldiers. They were used to keep a rifle attached to its soldier. The soldier wore a carbine sling, like an angled shoulder strap, with the sling's hook connected to the sling ring. While on horseback, and not using the rifle, the muzzle of the rifle was stored in a carbine socket. When the soldier dismounted, he pulled the rifle out of the socket. With the sling properly set up, the soldier could not lose his weapon.
  
  Sling:
  
  
  
  Sling attached to ring:
  
  
  
  Carbine socket, or "thimble":
  
  
  
  
  
  Unfortunately, this is the best picture that I could find of a soldier wearing his sling:
  
  

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  tsr1965

  September 25, 2010 15:22

  You already have the information you need. BigLoop22 is 100% correct. The namenclenture "saddle ring", is very misleading, as to its true purpose or use.
  
  Best

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