1,000 words on a Belgian sling....

[fahnenschmied]

A handful of you here just might have a Belgian musket, rifle, or rifle-musket, and of that handful, there might be one or two with some interest as to what the original sling looked like. I had suspected that the sling was similar to a French one, and it is, but the French model has a buckle with a tongue. The Belgian model has a friction buckle. The buckle and buttoning stud are of brass, and the sling is normally a natural leather color. The same pattern was used for many years after by the Belgian army. Hopefully this link works:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4QlVRfDC7rs/StMY7Bmm_tI/AAAAAAAADuc/8PjAPoIMcMg/s1600-h/777px-BelgianForeignLegion.jpg

A photo from 1865, and the earliest one I could find of the sling in use. Look at one of the fellows on the left. The sling is mounted in the "french" manner, with the stud on the barrel band.
I have not found a good clear photo of an American volunteer with such a sling in place that I can positively identify, but there is a good probability that there were slings in the cases of arms, and that at least some were used.

[fahnenschmied]

Re: 1,000 words on a Belgian sling....

Another photo, this time of an American soldier, with a French musket and French sling. I stumbled on this on some web article on "minie muskets", he was misidentified as a French soldier. From what appears to be a Burnside blouse, I assume him to be from Rhode Island. French, not, but his musket is, as is the sling. This sling is similar to the Belgian sling, except the buckle isn't a friction buckle, it is a buckle which is sewn in "backwards" to the way a normal roller buckle on a strap would be. Also a little interesting is what appears to be possibly a pinfire revolver in his belt.

[roundshot]

Re: 1,000 words on a Belgian sling....

I'd wager that IS a French soldier. That blouse is similar to, but different from a Rhode Island pattern. Same with accouterments. Maybe it is what it is.

[ironbrigade6]

Re: 1,000 words on a Belgian sling....

the soldier in the second photo appears to me to be french. His boots, belt and pouch all seem to be of foreign make.

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: 1,000 words on a Belgian sling....

I don't feel he is a US soldier as well. My gut says colonial.

[fahnenschmied]

Re: 1,000 words on a Belgian sling....

Well, perhaps he isn't a US soldier but his cap, blouse, strange pouch, and boots are certainly not French army...and not colonial french either, neither Spahi, Zouave nor Turco....

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: 1,000 words on a Belgian sling....

Well, perhaps he isn't a US soldier but his cap, blouse, strange pouch, and boots are certainly not French army...and not colonial french either, neither Spahi, Zouave nor Turco....

Who ever he was, its a cool photo!

[fahnenschmied]

Re: 1,000 words on a Belgian sling....

Ah, maybe I spoke too soon saying he isn't French. I had assumed he might have had some privately purchased clothes - the boots especially look too thin and soft for army issue. But as I look again I see that the pouch on his belt resembles the postwar Chassepot pouch. However, In looking at some photos of Rhode Islanders I saw all sorts of stuff I couldn't quite identify - If it is an 1867 pouch, then he is out of our period of interest. If you click on the link below, you will see why I was quick to declare him not French....

http://pacofaitlezouave.blogspot.com/search/label/collection

[pacofeanor]

Re: 1,000 words on a Belgian sling....

Hello Fahnenschmied, i think this man is french, but not from regular army, from "garde nationale mobilisée" ( ie national guard )during the 1870 war, republican period, quickly equiped with an old riffle musket (he could have received an "old " springfield or enfield from US army too!!!) . The lack of dressing result the use of "country man " blouses, regular belt and plate, cap pouch, and baio (and surely scabard patern 1845 modified 58).

best regards
paco