This is an excellent example of a Civil War Union army rifle sling, made and clearly marked by Metzger with a sharp Hartzler U.S. inspector’s mark as well. The construction uses the standard standing loop on one end and a brass hook fixed on the other by folding over the leather and stitching it down. The sling is full-length, 46 inches, and has a nice surface, deep russet in color, showing just crazing from flexing, slight edge wear and no substantial finish loss.

Emanuel Metzger worked in Philadelphia and had many contracts for leather gear throughout the Civil War, including bayonet scabbards, saber belts, carbine slings, pistol cartridge boxes, waist belts, etc. His stamp on this sling is very clear, with his name in an arc over the city and to the left appears an equally clear inspector’s oval stamp reading “H.H. Hartzler  / Sub-Inspector” around the edge and “U.S. / ORD. DEPT.” in the middle.

The sling includes the sliding tightener loop and the standing loop on one end is firmly in place. (These are frequently near breaking off from the sling being tightly crimped around the sling swivel.) The hook is firmly in place as well, secured with the leather being stitched over and two small rivets, though one rivet seems to have pulled out slightly and we see a little spot of glue in there, probably added by a collector to keep it from moving around and eventually pulling out if handled roughly. This is noticeable only the closest inspection and a not uncommon necessary step.

This is a key piece gear to go with an infantry rifle or musket and displays very well with good color and readily visible markings.  [sr]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS,

CLICK ON ‘CONTACT US’ AT THE TOP OF ANY PAGE ON THE SITE,

THEN ON ‘LAYAWAY POLICY’.