This is a regulation Civil War model 1850 gun sling for rifles and muskets bearing the same “OHIO” stamp found on a variety of weapons and accoutrements coming back into Ohio state arsenals. Some have maintained the stamp was applied at the end of the war, but at least one researcher has seen documents the practice started in 1863. Whether they went out again to Ohio troops in field is unclear, but there seems no doubt that (in most cases at least,) they were coming in from Ohio troops who had used them in the field, so the marking is a good indicator of wartime use by an Ohio soldier.

Usually made of russet leather, the gun sling consists of a single long strap with fixed loop on one end to feed the strap back through on the upper swivel, and a fixed hook on the other to feed though the lower swivel and adjust for length by using small punched holes. This is complete, full-length, and was once mounted on a rifle. There are some minor wrinkles, but generally good finish. The hook is firmly in place with its rivets and stitching. The standing loop, often broken off, is there as well. The sling also still has the sliding loop that would tighten the overlapping strap at the bottom.

This would look good displayed on a rifle or as part of an Ohio infantryman’s gear.  [sr]  [ph:m/L]

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