Cartridge Box Sling

[27thNCdrummer]

Pards,

What is the best way to shorten a cartridge box sling? Mine happens to be just slightly long. Also, is it authentic to shorten it or more authentic to just leave it alone?
Thanks,

[charding4496]

Andrew,

First off, what sort of cartridge box strap is it? The official length (per Ordnance Manual) of Federal issue cartridge boxes is 64 1/2 inches. Often our reproductions are longer to accomodate for larger sizes.

Even if it isn't a Federal cartridge box Id measure it and if its that length, Id let it go. Its a pretty safe bet that for the most part CS cartridge box straps were approx. the same length. I'm sure someone better acquainted with CS leathers can chime in here.

When it comes to actually shortening it, if it is in fact sized for modern reenactors, Id measure out the appropriate size and mark it. In fact, I remember doing this to my first cartridge box strap years ago. After that, I used the tab on the one side as a pattern for the other and traced that on the back of the other side - thus marking out the outline of where the shortened tab would be. I then carefully took a razor knife and cut the outline - trimming the newly cut edges up real nice too. After that youre gonna need some holes in it. I again used the other side as a reference to mark and punch the holes in it. You can go out and buy the appropriate leather making tools if the mood really strikes you or try to scrounge up a leather punch or an awl or something. But I found that for a one time only use, an appropriate sized nail worked for punching the holes. Once you've got them punched, you should be ready to roll.

Of course if you are going to do this, take your time and measure out your holes so they are evenly spaced, etc. But if you find your sling is somewhere around 64 inches long, I wouldn't adjust it because that seems to be the approx. length for most cartridge box slings. If thats the case, you're just dealing with the problems of being a bit smaller. Of course there is the case that some tiny soldier, fed up with his lengthy cartridge box strap, shortened it even more in the field. But I haven't seen any field altered cartridge box straps. He might have even just ditched the strap all together and put it all on the belt.

Anybody else's thoughts?

[27thNCdrummer]

It is a standard confederate painted box sling just so everybody will know.

[charding4496]

If its got the leather tabs on the end, it would require taking out the stitching, cutting the strap and resewing the tab on through the holes. If its tolerable, Id let it go or ditch the strap in favor of putting the box on your belt.

But if you really want to maybe someone whos worked more with painted cloth goods can offer some suggestions.

[27thNCdrummer]

My only worry with leaving it is I've gotten several comments that I look "farby" with it at its normal length.

[Jimmayo]

Usually those who throw the farb word around have some issues also. IMO the average CW soldier did not worry if his strap looked too long as long as he could reach the cartridges.

Compare the length of your strap to the length of a US strap in the above post. Look at federal LOC pictures and see where their boxes are riding. ;)Even though the average Southern soldier was braver and better looking than his Yankee counterpart, both were similar size. If the federal boxes rode low you can bet that the CS boxes did the same thing.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Do, make do, or do without.

Seriously... IMHO:

1. If copied from an original, leave it and deal with the length. (Of course one rarely knows the original owner's height and body build and how it rode/carreid on him...)

2. As shared, if the leather tab variety of cloth sling, remove a tab, cut the strap shorter, and resew the tab.

3. Or, one can cut the strap say half way or at the shoulder, cut off the undesired inches, and overlap the cloth belt and stitch it back together for a "field type" alteration.

And yes, some makers used to/do not copy originals, but rather offer greater length to account for or accomodate that the Modern Reenactor tends to be of greater "girth." Plus, there are still cartridge boxes with shoulder belts made for the "N-SSA" community where some lads prefer longer length belts to allow the box to ride low "Hollytwood Western Gunfighter" fashion to speed up their hit-times.

Curt

[27thNCdrummer]

My sling is from the Haversack Depot which copied there sling off one from the Fredricksburg NMP collection.

[Slouch]

since this is a painted strap, you can fold a short section (whatever length you need) over onto itself, press it down, and sew it. Many folks do this with haversack and canteen slings to produce the desired length. Two hints. One, do this near the end of the strap so the thick sewn part is not as noticable or dig into your shoulder. Two, do not place an iron directly onto the painted strap, unless you want to ruin both the strap and the iron. You may be able to press it by working it with your hands, place some weight on top of it, and set it in a warm, sunny location for a bit.

Hope this helps.

[Micah Trent]

My only worry with leaving it is I've gotten several comments that I look "farby" with it at its normal length.

I heard the same thing from a sling I had a few years back. I've learned that it isn't if the sling is short or not, but as long as it is easy to get to and does not interfer or get in the way of what you are trying to do, then it shouldn't matter. It's whatever works best for you.

[Pvt Schnapps]

Gosh I hate that 'f' word... :)

In the CS army as well as the US army the strap (officially, "cartridge box belt") is an item of ordnance. That means it belongs to the captain, not you, and he's responsible for seeing that it's taken care of and -- when the glorious day of victory or discharge finally arrives -- returned to the Ordnance Department in the same condition he received it. So if it is the right length, leave it alone.

Next time someone calls you on it, just tell them that you asked the captain to let you shorten it, but he said no.

If they're authentic enough to call something farby, they'll know exactly what you're talking about. If they don't, shame on them.

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

Don't mean to be rude or anything but:

You don't appear to be old enough to be shouldering a weapon, and your sling may be too long for you because of your youthful size. Since you're young, your height and weight may be a factor, and if so, it might be something you need to grow into.

Could this be a possibility? Or, am I just crazy?

[27thNCdrummer]

I am 5,5" and about 105 pounds, the standard height and weight of a 15-16 year old of the period. I f you look at period photos you'll see that most 15-16 year olds look much more youthful than their modern counterparts, probably due to modern growth hormones in our fast food. And your right, I'm not 16 but I figured as long as I'm ok'd by my NCO's and Officers (which I am) and look accurate than what is the problem?

[Vuhginyuh]

I'm ok'd by my NCO's and Officers (which I am) and look accurate than what is the problem?

NCJR would be a good fit if there was such a critter today. How old are you?

[27thNCdrummer]

I'm going on 13. Don't be shocked everybody.:eek:

[HOG.EYE.MAN]

I'm going on 13. Don't be shocked everybody.:eek:

.....And that's why your sling is too long. You have approval from your NCO and Mother to carry a weapon? Call me crazy, but that's not right.

I think you should stick with the musician end of the hobby for a little bit longer.

[27thNCdrummer]

I personally think that just because most 13 year olds are to immature to handle a weapon (I have seen 13 year olds who are to immature to carry a drum), that the people that aren't should not suffer from others negligence.

[Frenchie]

Andrew, the rules have a purpose. They don't exist to make you miserable, they're to make things safer and more enjoyable for everyone. I agree with you, there are 13-year-olds who are plenty mature enough to handle a musket, but then there are 30-year-olds who aren't. Just be patient. Practice the manual of arms and be able to teach it to the new recruits, that'll be sweet, won't it?

[27thNCdrummer]

I think it should also be said that I do not carry a musket at every event. Just on occasion. My primary impression is still a musician.

[Coatsy]

Back to the topic of this thread........ Cody and Schnapps are correct, if the sling is patterned off an original, leave it alone, or wear the box on your belt if there are belt loops. You'll grow into it. :D

If you absolutely have to shorten it, then the fold over and sew it method mentioned above will work. I have a Confederate box sling that was just too long for me when I was loading so I folded the straps over and sewed it so I could reach the box with ease. And yes nay sayers it was patterned off an original. So I guess you'll do what you feel is best in the end.

Finally, not to knock you about your age or carring a rifle... Good field muscians are always needed. It is VERY helpful to have them in the field. :)

[Csayankee]

Excuse my lack of knowledge in photos.

But would a simple fix be to tie the sling in a knot. I am 29 years old and 5'5" so some things can be a bit long on me, I simply tie a knot in the sling and away I go. No need to sew or change anything.

Also regarding your age, 13 is young to carry a rifle. Many sites and groups will not allow someone under the age of 16 to carry firearms because of insurance reasons. Also some state Kentucky being one if you are 15 or younger you must be with an adult to hunt. I am sure they use the same logic on a battle field or historic site.

Thanks
Dan

[roundshot]

The boy might be 13 years old, but he knows better than to try and tie a knot in a cartridge box sling.

[Csayankee]

Well like I said I am not an expert in cartridge box slings, with photo graphic evidence. But I was thinking that a painted cloth sling would not be that hard to tie, I was not referring to his age at all regarding that part. Just giving my experience with length issues.