Garand Front sling question

Falcon5NZ · October 15, 2009, 05:25 AM

Hey all.
Don't know if this should be in GDF or here but I'll start here (Mods don't hesitate to move).
What was the purpose of this? Was it to allow it to be slung more securely when marching with it?
On a related point-In an early episode of Band of Brothers you see a soldier (think it was Capt. Winters) firing his Garand with an en-bloc clip wedged onto the sling. Was this standard/recommended/allowed?

Nick

Polydorus · October 15, 2009, 06:14 AM

I've seen en-bloc clips wedged onto the sling during fire fights in a number of movies. Looks like a convenient place to grab your next 8 or 16 rounds.

JAG06 · October 15, 2009, 11:35 AM

There are only 2 sling swivels.

mp25ds4 · October 15, 2009, 11:40 AM

no theres 3, 2 are on the front half of the barrel

armsmaster270 · October 15, 2009, 12:17 PM

I'm with Jag06 the second sling mount is a Stacking Swivel it's open in the center about 1/2 inch.

The Stacking Swivel is above the ^ mark.

Chipperman · October 15, 2009, 12:53 PM

Yes, the one in front is a sticking swivel. It allowed 3 or more guns to be stacked together like a teepee.

Walter · October 15, 2009, 04:57 PM

In this age of black plastic rifles, a stacking swivel (which IS what it is)
seems positively archaic to a lot of the younger generation.
When I did my boot camp rifle range time at Camp Pendleton in 1968, we
spent all morning one day stacking and unstacking our M14s. Who knows
why, because as soon as we got to ITR, we were issued M16s, and
I never laid hands on an M14 again.

Walter

Orlando · October 15, 2009, 05:42 PM

Its a stacking swivel

armsmaster270 · October 15, 2009, 06:24 PM

Orlando you did me one better, I like your picture it brings back memories.

ReadyOnTheRight · October 15, 2009, 07:28 PM

This is why everyone needs at least 3 Garands.

mp25ds4 · October 15, 2009, 07:46 PM

thats pretty cool orlando i didnt know that

Falcon5NZ · October 16, 2009, 06:33 AM

So THAT's how it's done!!!! I never even thought of that. That's damned cool. And yes I am one of the younger generation (19). However unlike most guys my age i prefer the Garand to the Deagle :barf: (My mates at the hostel I lived at knew that calling a Desert Eagle a Deagle was one way to get me seriously peeved)
Is it just a case of slotting them in or is there a knack to it?
Redy on the Right- You mean "This is why everyone needs Garands in multiples of 3."?

James K · October 16, 2009, 01:47 PM

The British called it a "piling swivel". Same thing.

FWIW, only a few real M1 rifles were used in BoB. Most were plastic dummies, but some had holes in the top so the actors could be seen inserting dummy plastic clips. A year or so ago, the NRA museum had a display of those "rifles" and "ammo". They were cleverly made, but even in the movie an experienced eye could see that the guns were fakes.

Jim

Ronbo1 · October 16, 2009, 02:59 PM

It is a little off the topic but how does a sling attach to a 1903A3? Have a WWII GI canvas sling and am not sure how to hook it on properly.

Orlando · October 16, 2009, 03:29 PM

Same way as a Garand. Clip on buttstock, loop through the front swivel

Ronbo1 · October 16, 2009, 03:48 PM

Found a how to link after a search with some pictures.

http://www.ray-vin.com/tech/websling/webslinghelp.htm

Chris_B · October 16, 2009, 06:55 PM

re: en-blocs stuck in the sling

You can find many photos of actual US troops in WWII with clips wedged into their slings. Seems to be an ETO thing, or perhaps I've only ever seen photos of ETO troops that did this

Chris_B · October 16, 2009, 06:57 PM

Great photo, Orlando!

Should you tell them all there's only two Garands in that photo, or shall I?

Handy that the '03 is the same length as the M1, eh?

dahermit · October 16, 2009, 07:14 PM

Quote:

re: en-blocs stuck in the sling

You can find many photos of actual US troops in WWII with clips wedged into their slings. Seems to be an ETO thing, or perhaps I've only ever seen photos of ETO troops that did this

The author of the book, "About Face", Col. David Hackworth enlisted in the army just at the end of WWII, served in Italy, was an enlisted man in the Korean War. Mentioned how he had seen "old timers" stick a clip or two onto the slings of their M1s. Said it really looked like they knew what they were doing (looked cool) so he emulated them...until he discovered that if you had to "hit the dirt" quickly into the mud, the mud would render the loaded clip useless until it was cleaned. So, after a few such mishaps, he stopped doing it. Nevertheless, it did seem to been practiced in Korea as well as the European Theater of Operations during WWII.

armsmaster270 · October 16, 2009, 07:54 PM

Damn good catch Chris.

Falcon5NZ · October 17, 2009, 12:56 AM

I was going to ask about the "bolt action Garand" but thought I'd better not seeing as I learnt something

Chris_B · October 17, 2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

I was going to ask about the "bolt action Garand" but thought I'd better not seeing as I learnt something

Well that deserves a photo then!

Smith-Corona 1903A3 on the left, Springfield M1 rifle on right. Everything for and on the rifles is original USGI with the exception of the Lyman sight on the '03A3 and the sling on the M1. The '03A3 is my Dad's, the M1 is mine

nolmsted · October 18, 2009, 09:37 AM

great pictures - I have several Garands and I was never sure what that swivel was for - thanks

armsmaster270 · October 18, 2009, 10:27 PM

Chris your Garand sling is the same as we had on our Garands when I went to Boot Camp in 64

Chris_B · October 20, 2009, 06:37 PM

I was wondering what vintage it was supposed to be, thanks! I've gone to a 1907 style repro sling though...the tan sling pictured slipped on me when I picked up the rifle last summer. Nearly damaged the floor when the M1 hit it.

October 15, 2009, 05:25 AM	#1
Falcon5NZ Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Somewhere North of the Roaring 40's...Just Posts: 275	Garand Front sling question Hey all. Don't know if this should be in GDF or here but I'll start here (Mods don't hesitate to move). What was the purpose of this? Was it to allow it to be slung more securely when marching with it? On a related point-In an early episode of Band of Brothers you see a soldier (think it was Capt. Winters) firing his Garand with an en-bloc clip wedged onto the sling. Was this standard/recommended/allowed? Nick __________________ It is New Zealand's role to send out its bright young men and women to help run the rest of the world. And they go, not hating the country of their birth, but loving it. From this loving base they make their mark on the world. Pro-1080 Poison and proud of it!!

October 15, 2009, 11:35 AM	#3
JAG06 Member Join Date: April 22, 2007 Posts: 31	It's a stacking swivel. There are only 2 sling swivels.

October 15, 2009, 11:40 AM	#4
mp25ds4 Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2009 Posts: 392	no theres 3, 2 are on the front half of the barrel __________________ Liberal Newscaster Katie Couric, while interviewing a Marine sniper, asked: 'What do you feel.....when you shoot a Terrorist?' The Marine shrugged and replied, "A Slight Recoil."

October 15, 2009, 12:17 PM	#5
armsmaster270 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,951	I'm with Jag06 the second sling mount is a Stacking Swivel it's open in the center about 1/2 inch. The Stacking Swivel is above the ^ mark. __________________ http://www.armsmaster.net-a.googlepages.com http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/f...aster270/Guns/ Retired LE, M.P., Sr. M.P. Investigator F.B.I. Trained Rangemaster/Firearms Instructor & Armorer, Presently Forensic Document Examiner for D.H.S. Last edited by armsmaster270; October 15, 2009 at 12:33 PM.

October 15, 2009, 06:24 PM	#9
armsmaster270 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,951	Orlando you did me one better, I like your picture it brings back memories. __________________ http://www.armsmaster.net-a.googlepages.com http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/f...aster270/Guns/ Retired LE, M.P., Sr. M.P. Investigator F.B.I. Trained Rangemaster/Firearms Instructor & Armorer, Presently Forensic Document Examiner for D.H.S.

October 15, 2009, 06:14 AM	#2
Polydorus Senior Member Join Date: October 5, 2005 Posts: 144	I've seen en-bloc clips wedged onto the sling during fire fights in a number of movies. Looks like a convenient place to grab your next 8 or 16 rounds.

October 15, 2009, 12:53 PM	#6
Chipperman Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2000 Location: Live Free or Die, Baby! Posts: 1,550	Yes, the one in front is a sticking swivel. It allowed 3 or more guns to be stacked together like a teepee.

October 15, 2009, 04:57 PM	#7
Walter Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2004 Location: North Texas Posts: 641	In this age of black plastic rifles, a stacking swivel (which IS what it is) seems positively archaic to a lot of the younger generation. When I did my boot camp rifle range time at Camp Pendleton in 1968, we spent all morning one day stacking and unstacking our M14s. Who knows why, because as soon as we got to ITR, we were issued M16s, and I never laid hands on an M14 again. Walter

October 15, 2009, 05:42 PM	#8
Orlando Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2009 Posts: 352	Its a stacking swivel

October 15, 2009, 07:28 PM	#10
ReadyOnTheRight Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2002 Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Posts: 377	This is why everyone needs at least 3 Garands. __________________ "Personal weapons are what raised mankind out of the mud, and the rifle is the queen of personal weapons. The possession of a good rifle, as well as the skill to use it well, truly makes a man the monarch of all he surveys." -Jeff Cooper, The Art of the Rifle-

October 15, 2009, 07:46 PM	#11
mp25ds4 Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2009 Posts: 392	thats pretty cool orlando i didnt know that __________________ Liberal Newscaster Katie Couric, while interviewing a Marine sniper, asked: 'What do you feel.....when you shoot a Terrorist?' The Marine shrugged and replied, "A Slight Recoil."

October 16, 2009, 06:33 AM	#12
Falcon5NZ Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Somewhere North of the Roaring 40's...Just Posts: 275	So THAT's how it's done!!!! I never even thought of that. That's damned cool. And yes I am one of the younger generation (19). However unlike most guys my age i prefer the Garand to the Deagle :barf: (My mates at the hostel I lived at knew that calling a Desert Eagle a Deagle was one way to get me seriously peeved) Is it just a case of slotting them in or is there a knack to it? Redy on the Right- You mean "This is why everyone needs Garands in multiples of 3."? __________________ It is New Zealand's role to send out its bright young men and women to help run the rest of the world. And they go, not hating the country of their birth, but loving it. From this loving base they make their mark on the world. Pro-1080 Poison and proud of it!!

October 16, 2009, 01:47 PM	#13
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	The British called it a "piling swivel". Same thing. FWIW, only a few real M1 rifles were used in BoB. Most were plastic dummies, but some had holes in the top so the actors could be seen inserting dummy plastic clips. A year or so ago, the NRA museum had a display of those "rifles" and "ammo". They were cleverly made, but even in the movie an experienced eye could see that the guns were fakes. Jim

October 16, 2009, 02:59 PM	#14
Ronbo1 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2004 Location: MN Posts: 136	sling It is a little off the topic but how does a sling attach to a 1903A3? Have a WWII GI canvas sling and am not sure how to hook it on properly. __________________ When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty. America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves Abraham Lincoln

October 16, 2009, 03:29 PM	#15
Orlando Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2009 Posts: 352	Same way as a Garand. Clip on buttstock, loop through the front swivel

October 16, 2009, 03:48 PM	#16
Ronbo1 Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2004 Location: MN Posts: 136	sling Found a how to link after a search with some pictures. http://www.ray-vin.com/tech/websling/webslinghelp.htm __________________ When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty. America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves Abraham Lincoln

October 16, 2009, 06:55 PM	#17
Chris_B Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2007 Posts: 3,101	re: en-blocs stuck in the sling You can find many photos of actual US troops in WWII with clips wedged into their slings. Seems to be an ETO thing, or perhaps I've only ever seen photos of ETO troops that did this

October 16, 2009, 06:57 PM	#18
Chris_B Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2007 Posts: 3,101	Great photo, Orlando! Should you tell them all there's only two Garands in that photo, or shall I? Handy that the '03 is the same length as the M1, eh? Last edited by Chris_B; October 16, 2009 at 07:07 PM.

October 16, 2009, 07:54 PM	#20
armsmaster270 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,951	Damn good catch Chris. __________________ http://www.armsmaster.net-a.googlepages.com http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/f...aster270/Guns/ Retired LE, M.P., Sr. M.P. Investigator F.B.I. Trained Rangemaster/Firearms Instructor & Armorer, Presently Forensic Document Examiner for D.H.S.

October 17, 2009, 12:56 AM	#21
Falcon5NZ Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: Somewhere North of the Roaring 40's...Just Posts: 275	I was going to ask about the "bolt action Garand" but thought I'd better not seeing as I learnt something __________________ It is New Zealand's role to send out its bright young men and women to help run the rest of the world. And they go, not hating the country of their birth, but loving it. From this loving base they make their mark on the world. Pro-1080 Poison and proud of it!!

October 18, 2009, 09:37 AM	#23
nolmsted Member Join Date: June 29, 2004 Location: Northeast Ohio Posts: 25	great pictures - I have several Garands and I was never sure what that swivel was for - thanks

October 18, 2009, 10:27 PM	#24
armsmaster270 Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2008 Location: California Posts: 1,951	Chris your Garand sling is the same as we had on our Garands when I went to Boot Camp in 64 __________________ http://www.armsmaster.net-a.googlepages.com http://s239.photobucket.com/albums/f...aster270/Guns/ Retired LE, M.P., Sr. M.P. Investigator F.B.I. Trained Rangemaster/Firearms Instructor & Armorer, Presently Forensic Document Examiner for D.H.S.

October 20, 2009, 06:37 PM	#25
Chris_B Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2007 Posts: 3,101	I was wondering what vintage it was supposed to be, thanks! I've gone to a 1907 style repro sling though...the tan sling pictured slipped on me when I picked up the rifle last summer. Nearly damaged the floor when the M1 hit it.