Riding with longarms in the saddle

[Mike Nickerson]

Mike, I think the general consensus is that for the ACW period, the gun boots referred to in the ORs that Will provided are most likely the so called carbine thimble or socket we're most familiar with, but may have also reffered to the carbine buckets issued during the MAW period as well.

While I agree with everything you wrote Larry. The fact that Will was speaking of new references (like for the first time) for the use of "gun boots in the East" makes me wonder if he is talking about carbine thimbles. As I wasn't aware their use in the East was not considered common.

On the other hand, the use of the link pictured M1884 US Cavalry carbine boot is very commonly used by many "authentic deficit" Cav down here.

Mike Nickerson

[Prodical Reb]

Thanks Andrew. That is the type of thing I was looking for. Now, the next question. Would this be used with a carbine sling? I think the obvious answer would be yes, what else would the ring be for. BUT, there is always a "but"... With the lenght of that gun and the placement of the ring, that rifle would hang very close to the ground. Would this still work? Great photo though!

Now I'm not a Cav man but I think a carbine sling with this would work great on horse back but not so much on the ground. Spencer rifles are not that long. Depending on the soldiers height it would more than likely would drag the muzzle on the ground. As stated below would be great on horse back but only for short periods. I'll say why I think that in a minute.

I think the man would carry the rifle in hand, but in times of battle the gun would be connected to him (by sling), so that if he was unhorsed or had to drop the gun to take up a reign or any other emergency he would still have the rifle at his side. It would not be practical for the gun to be slung down for any length of time.

Normally the bar & ring were attached to the reciever when manufactured. To modify it in the field would result with the bar & ring attached to the wood as we see in the pic. The second thing to consider is how many Spencer rifles cracked or broke near to the recievers socket for the butt stock. With the magazine tube running thru the butt stock, it weakened the stocks considerably, so an arrangement like this could possibly render the weapon unservicable should the stock break.

[ButtermilkRanger]

Mike, I doubt we ever solve the mystery of the elusive gun boot, but it sure is fun to speculate, isn't it? I don't go to many local mainstream events, but at the couple local events I try to make, either as a spectator or a participant, I see the IW era boot pop up with more and more frequency. Of course, I'm also seeing more and more modern saddle pads, nylon curb chains, and gal troops. I guess one isn't any less authentic than the other.