Slings

Introduction

Throughout the whole period in which straight pull rifles were issued to the Swiss Army, they were always supplied with leather slings for ease of carriage. These were manufactured in accordance with government-issued patterns by a network of hundreds of small-scale saddlers and workshops across the entire country, who supplied them to their local Cantonal Arsenals. 

There were two main styles of sling in use, which differed depending on whether they were for an infantry rifle or carbine. 

Infantry Rifle Slings

The infantry rifle sling is a very simple item. It consists of a single, straight, leather strap, with buttonholes at both ends and two capstan studs to secure it. It is fitted by feeding one end through each of the sling swivels, from the outside, and then fastening the studs to secure it. The short ends of the sling should be on the inside (i.e. towards the rifle), with the long strap on the outside (i.e. away from the rifle).