Krag tropical web sling. how to attach?

[Dick Hosmer]

Many thanks, but, as I read it, the attachment says nothing about altering the swivels on the rifle. As I am sure you are aware, fitting to the rifle using solid swivels is possible, though not convenient. The worst part is adjusting the length of the sling once it is on the rifle. What IS interesting is that the correrspondence does clearly include the rifle - thus spiking the arguments of some that the item was intended solely for the canteen, haversack, atc.

[alibi]

Well the first paragraph of the previous attachment states "swivels for alteration at the Springfield Armory." Here's another document that says much the same thing in more detail, and mentions that the stacking swivel would have to be altered also to be used to attach the sling for shooting standing.
1901 5 8 (1901 6 24 p1) oo36116-5.jpg
1901 5 8 (1901 6 24 p2) oo36116-5.jpg

To me it's clear that Mills sent 1300 of the "slings" to Springfield Armory to accompany swivels altered with 9/16inch openings. Here is a few pages of the endorsements correspondence between the Chief of Ordnance and the CO Springfield Armory that may be of interest:
1901 5 8 oo36116-5 pE1-1.jpg
1901 5 8 oo36116-5 pE1-2.jpg
1901 5 8 oo36116-5 pE2.jpg

[butlersrangers]

'alibi' - Thanks for your responses and sharing your research and documentation. It is very interesting that the swivels intended to go with the 1,300 Mills & Orndorff canvass gun slings called for having a 9/16 inch opening (like a stacking swivel, but, a wider swivel and wider opening). The butt-swivel, with a 9/16" opening would be quite unique and noticeable. The open swivel-loop would avoid the need to 'thread' the sling through conventional swivels.

The correspondence also states that the Mills gun-sling, Haversack strap and canteen strap were identical and made in equal numbers (1,300) and cost 24 cents ea.

The suggestion of replacing the front 'stacking-swivel' with one of greater width and a 9/16 inch opening, (about 3/16" greater than the standard 'stacking-swivel), is interesting. The Mills Co. rationale was that the sling could be attached to the 'stacking-swivel' and foot for target practice. I presume this was for added stability in the Standing Position or possibly Kneeling Position? (I can't visualize anything else). It was an era when shooting sling use was in its infancy and the Back Position still had advocates.

In Testing, I suspect 'open' sling-swivel loops, (if indeed these existed in large numbers and were tried out in the field), caught on brush and other obstacles. It is likely they were as much a problem as the tendency for the Mills Sling to curl and give a narrow area of support on the shoulder.

Once again, thanks for sharing!

[alibi]

Reports of field trial

Attached is the summary of the reports of the field trial. I did not notice that any of the reports mentioned the open swivels catching on anything, but there is plenty of confirmation of your other suppositions regarding the slings, however keep in mind the reports were regarding the use as rifle slings, and as canteen and haversack straps:

1901 5 8 (1901 8 4) oo36116-16 A3p1.jpg
1901 5 8 (1901 8 4) oo36116-16 A3p2.jpg

[Dick Hosmer]

Very interesting - thank you for posting. Clearly this material was missed by ALL of the previous Krag writers (Mallory, Brophy, Poyer, Farmer, et al) unless Joe Poyer has it in his just-released revised edition, which I've not seen.

I'd guess that any/all swivels modified for the tests are long gone - have never seen, or heard of - such items.

[butlersrangers]

I suppose further documentation is needed to verify that the Krag 'open' sling-swivels were actually produced in significant numbers and were part of the sling tests or trials.

The Mills & Orndorff rifle slings and the haversack & canteen straps did not work out well in U.S. testing.

It is interesting, however, that the rifle sling with some revision, (shorter, no keepers, and wider 'end-hooks'), was amazingly successful for the British on Lee-Enfields, with conventional sling-swivels. The British version served in two world wars under harsh conditions. It is a serviceable 'carry strap' and can be utilized as a shooting sling. I suppose there are many subtle differences in stitching, weave, and general construction, between the Krag and L-E versions.

FWIW - The idea was good. It was a matter of execution.