Equipment of Civil War Cavalry: The Carbine Sling

[@dougriley8808]

Thanks for the information

[@Hopkinsg1]

I prefer the Buckle in the back. A gleaming piece of brass on your chest attracts attention and becomes a Target. During the Civil War era many Cavalry Commanders preferred men of smaller stature to be cavalrymen. I think five foot six inches and 130 lb are the stats that they found favorable. Although many men larger than these stats were in the cavalry. Five foot six was very average in the mid-nineteenth century. This would explain the shorter carbine sling. Great videos. Lots of good information and very well delivered. Keep them coming.

[@forbrucenash]

Hey there and good morning, good video very informative and now I know why there was a ring on the carbines! I’ve been pondering this for years because my father used to do Calvary reenactment in the Army when I was a kid but I didn’t exactly examine the gear lol. Happy riding

[@jeddrake6713]

Thanks for the video, very informational. Only video I could find about the sling on KZbin.

[@11thovc]

Glad you found it helpful

[@davestelling]

Very curious how you've gotten the aged patina on the brass hdwr of your reproductions? Another excellent presentation, thanks ...

[@williamwayne683]

Quick clear concise informative great us of photos

[@Squib1911]

There wasn't mil-spec back then, right? Were the slings made by different contractors (maybe a local leatherworker), hence the variations, or were some made by the troopers?

[@jimnemeth3639]

I have found that for dress ie parades the buckle is worn in the front,otherwise the buckle is worn on the back. also men 150 years ago where not the same height asx men today esp cavaly troopers

[@richardlinneman594]

I have to agree and probably not fed as well and lived a little harder.

[@willgic3964]

I have a beaded sling that looks captured by the Lakota. Hoping you might be able to shed light on possibly when.

[@11thovc]

Hey Will! Email some pictures at [e-mail] and we'll try to help date the sling!

[@edreese3514]

Another great video thanks for sharing

[@donaldsawyer5033]

Great video, thanks for producing these. I'm thinking about participating in "living history". After 31 years of Army and Marine Corps service there's one thing that I try to keep in mind when determining issues like "what side the buckle goes on" the front or back. "Commanders Discretion" In lieu of regulatory guidance the commander of say a cav troop or squadron will issue guidance to insure uniformity. It usually comes from higher than company level.

[@stephengent9974]

Interesting. Many of the repro's I have seen have been way longer than that stated here. Also informative to see that the strap was unfinished side out by the buckle. I am in the process of making one now, so it all helps. Seems to me that some of the repro brass is too wide. I have a set that is 2 1/2", I have read that 2 -21/4 was specified by the QM manual.

[@gavincross2902]

Very informative video for my personal research. Thanks

[@thegearcage6595]

Hey brother great videos Where would recommend to purchase the best reproduction carbine sling and campaigner quality Calvary trousers? Thanks for your help

[@jedidls]

Man, I wish there was a channel as informative as this focusing on confederate cavalry. Alas, there are no ordinance returns for the rebs as far as I know.

[@11thovc]

Who is Sammy? Maybe one day we can branch into the reb cavalry. But as far as ordnance returns, they do exist. However, they are much more crude, and sporadic. The National Archives has a few rolls of microfilm that have Forest's cavalry equipment returns and a few others. You REALLY have to dig, but they are there.

[@jedidls]

@@11thovc Thank you for the insight!

[@robertcole9391]

Far too little references to Confederate Uniform regulations. Despite the 1861 regs and Revised 1863 Regs on uniform and accouterments, there is virtually no information. As for Union Regulations, it is quite detailed, and some things are left to the benefit of the user. One thing I have found very disturbing is how most Confederate Reenactment Units seem to adapt and do their own thing. Very disturbing when you join a cavalry unit and they're all dressed like medics. I'm a retired Army NCO and it just blows my mind. You can't imagine. Total disregard of the regs. Personally, I love reenactment, but with how these Confederate Units do things, I'm about to toss in the towel. Even after spending a couple grand and getting as accurate as possible based on research........ I don't know. Yes. I'm shaking my head. And they seem to ignore historical facts and do their own thing. Even you tube has very little info concerning confederate units. You try and research and nothing makes sense. Yeah, I'm complaining, but it is true. Try and research it. If you have some links, it would be well appreciated. I do believe history must be accurate to get the full picture. And touring State Museums can be exhausting while the units ignore facts. Let's take yellow for example on cavalry. The regs are very specific. Yet yellow at the time was actually 'Opaque'. A very faded form of yellow. Some of these idiots that run units think they are rewriting history while you can't change history, just present it as it occurred. It's like the entire thing is being run by a bunch of E-4 barracks lawyers. My last excuse given was 'We adopted the uniform of the Army of Northern Virginia'. This is a false representation of history. You really want to strangle these people and hold their heads under water for just a little bit. You know? So frustrated with this.

[@wonkachocolates6133]

Many a Civil War Reenactments are hilarious watching overweight men darken uniforms with sweat.