Confederate Linen Sling
Confederate Linen Sling
Confederate Linen Sling
Civil War Arsenal
Civil War Guns, Edged Weapons & Battlefields
I just heard a major dealer say that an original cotton sling with Bangor, Maine markings exists somewhere. Does anybody have any information about that? This is the first I’ve ever heard of this after nearly 40 years of collecting. Thanks
Mike,
I’ve recently read the same article you mention. So I’m guessing that the linen slings may not be Confederate after all. Which would be a bummer, especially because I own 8 of them.
A number of years ago I was speaking to a prominent CW dealer who is also a relic hunter about linen slings. He felt there was no proof of linen slings being confederate because he had never found any remnants of the slings metal hooks at any of the Southern camps he hunted and he had been hunting for decades. Typical of Confederate items we may not ever know the truth, but it’s good some are still exploring the facts.
Regards, Gene West
Gene, There has been much discussion over the years about these slings. Around mid 1970’s a portion of a ?store from during the excavation believed to have been the Puryear shop shop. Numerous wooden clogg soles were found in addition to boxes containing unpainted fabric gun slings. Most of these were purchased by the late Dent Myers. The things went everywhere. Many Confederate guns were showing up with cotton slings on them. Dr. Murphy”s collection had the most on guns that I believe the slings came on. I’ve studied these for years. Looking at most today, there is no long term signs that most slings have been on guns during the time of useage. I’ve seen letters from Richmond Harness shops to start making these from fabric due to severe leather shortages. The practice of making fabric slings seem to go back to leather in the beginning of 1864. Photo’s are known of soldiers using these slings for all kinds of straping, one fellow is even wearing one as a waist belt. As to excavated sling hooks, I have several in my collection that were excavated around Chancelorsville, Va.. Give me a shout if you wish totalk more about these. Respectfully, J.R. “Butch” Myers