Transitional Gun Slings

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butlersrangers
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Transitional Gun Slings

Post by butlersrangers »

Build a better gunsling!

Circa 1903 - 1906, a lot of thought must have been going into designing a replacement U.S. military rifle sling.

Most of these inventive efforts have likely sunk deep into obscurity.

Knute resurrected one, 'the Shaw sling', through his post about Lt. Townsend Whelen's 1906 handbook, "Suggestions to Military Riflemen".

By 1906, it became clear that the Ordnance Department wanted a sling that 'looped' around the support-arm, as a shooting aid,
while being attached to the butt-swivel for instant use as a carry strap.

It appears the 'quickly-adjustable' Shaw sling was a serious contender for official acceptance.
I wonder if Lt. Shaw and his invention influenced the design of the model 1907 sling?
(It used a pair of double-pronged brass hooks, two movable leather keepers, and bears a bit of similarity to the m-1907).

The images:
Attachments
shaw sling A.jpg
shaw sling A.jpg (19.71 KiB) Viewed 796 times
shaw sling B.jpg
shaw sling B.jpg (23.4 KiB) Viewed 796 times
Last edited by butlersrangers on Sat Jun 03, 2023 12:24 am, edited 1 time in total.

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butlersrangers
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Re: Transitional Gun Slings

Post by butlersrangers »

The text regarding the Shaw sling:
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shaw sling-1.jpg
shaw sling-1.jpg (63.82 KiB) Viewed 794 times
shaw sling-2.jpg
shaw sling-2.jpg (23.54 KiB) Viewed 794 times
shaw sling-3.jpg
shaw sling-3.jpg (64 KiB) Viewed 794 times
shaw sling-4.jpeg
shaw sling-4.jpeg (21.93 KiB) Viewed 794 times

Knute1
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Re: Transitional Gun Slings

Post by Knute1 »

I am not sure if the Shaw Sling had any influence on the M1907 sling. The M1907 sling was credited to Colonel Wright (died in 1923 at the age of 75) of the Ohio National Guard.
Col.Wright.png
Col.Wright.png (636.65 KiB) Viewed 757 times
George C. Shaw (1866-1960) was a 1st Lt. in the 27th U.S. Infantry when he submitted his sling design. He became a Brigadier General before retiring. Interestingly enough, the 27th had ties with the Ohio National Guard in the 1904-1905 time period.
George_C._Shaw.jpg
George_C._Shaw.jpg (50.91 KiB) Viewed 756 times

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butlersrangers
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Re: Transitional Gun Slings

Post by butlersrangers »

Knute - Neat picture of George C. Shaw, the designer of the 'Shaw sling'. I see a 'shooting medal', as well as, The Congressional Medal of Honor!

I found information on Lt. Colonel George M. Wright and the model 1907 sling, this morning. (You beat me to posting a picture).

Akron attorney, George M. Wright, had many years of service as an officer in the Ohio National Guard.
He served as an officer in the 8th Ohio Vol. Infantry in Cuba and Puerto Rico, during the SAW.

Lt. Colonel Wright's involvement, in the design of the Model-1907 rifle sling, would suggest participation in shooting and Marksmanship training.

Competitive Shooting, back in that era, was loaded with 'Officers', Regular Military and especially National Guard.
It is probably likely that innovative officers, like Townsend Whelen, Charles Winder, George M. Wright, and George C. Shaw, were known to each other.
Maybe they even shared ideas?

In the 1906 National Rifle Association annual report, Townsend Whelen mentions how unsatisfactory the current rifle sling is.
(I believe he is referring to the 50 inch model 1903 sling for the new Springfield rifle).
Townsend reports the likely official adoption of the sling developed by George M. Wright, (the model 1907 sling).
Attachments
page 134 NRA 1906 observation on slings.jpeg
page 134 NRA 1906 observation on slings.jpeg (154.72 KiB) Viewed 740 times
Col. Wright 1907 sling.jpeg
Col. Wright 1907 sling.jpeg (196.47 KiB) Viewed 744 times

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butlersrangers
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Re: Transitional Gun Slings

Post by butlersrangers »

Dang! George C. Shaw was born in Pontiac, Michigan.

(Pontiac is about 20 miles from me. I worked there for over 30 years and never heard of this Medal of Honor recipient)!

His Medal of Honor was in recognition of his bravery during 1903 action on Mindanao, against a fortified Moro position, at Lake Lanao, P.I.
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George C. Shaw.jpg
George C. Shaw.jpg (304.76 KiB) Viewed 738 times

Knute1
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Re: Transitional Gun Slings

Post by Knute1 »

It is amazing how history can get "buried". I enjoy finding out about gentlemen such as these along with their contributions. I believe The Great War overshadowed many of these men's prior accomplishments.

Here is a Krag rifle at the Smithsonian, "Credit Line" by Lt. Col. George C. Shaw. Whatever that means.

https://www.si.edu/object/nmah_417649

Shaw was also involved with an America's Olympic Rifle team in 1920:

https://books.google.com/books?id=agk1A ... on&f=false

Another article of Shaw's involvement of the 1920 team.

https://www.ssusa.org/content/antwerp-1 ... nk-part-3/

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butlersrangers
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Re: Transitional Gun Slings

Post by butlersrangers »

You are a good 'history detective', Knute! Thanks for the 'links'.

It is neat that General George Clymer Shaw donated a model 1892 Krag (#1121), 38 photos from Mindanao, and a whole bunch of Moro artifacts to the Smithsonian.
Too bad that most of this archive can't be viewed online!

I wonder if the Colt SAA that Gen. Shaw is holding, played a role in his Medal of Honor actions?

The donated Krag appears to be a model 1892 updated to model 1896. Where's the Sling!
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Gen. George Shaw.jpg
Gen. George Shaw.jpg (33.53 KiB) Viewed 692 times
Gen. Geo. Clymer Shaw -SI donation2.jpg
Gen. Geo. Clymer Shaw -SI donation2.jpg (148.17 KiB) Viewed 694 times
Gen. George Clymer Shaw -SI donation1.png
Gen. George Clymer Shaw -SI donation1.png (122.05 KiB) Viewed 695 times
Gen. George C. Shaw -SI donation3.png
Gen. George C. Shaw -SI donation3.png (121.06 KiB) Viewed 695 times
Shaw Moro donations.jpg
Shaw Moro donations.jpg (175.42 KiB) Viewed 698 times

Knute1
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Re: Transitional Gun Slings

Post by Knute1 »

Here is Shaw's citation:

RANK: FIRST LIEUTENANT (HIGHEST RANK: BRIGADIER GENERAL)
CONFLICT/ERA: PHILIPPINE INSURRECTION
UNIT/COMMAND:
COMPANY C,
27TH U.S. INFANTRY
MILITARY SERVICE BRANCH: U.S. ARMY
MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION DATE: MAY 4, 1903
MEDAL OF HONOR ACTION PLACE: FORT PITACUS, LAKE LANAO, MINDANAO, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
CITATION
For distinguished gallantry in leading the assault and, under a heavy fire from the enemy, maintaining alone his position on the parapet after the first three men who followed him there had been killed or
wounded, until a foothold was gained by others and the capture of the place assured.

He would have had real life experience to help in the development of the rifle sling. (Understatement)

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butlersrangers
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Re: Transitional Gun Slings

Post by butlersrangers »

More about George Clymer Shaw:
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G.C. Shaw.png
G.C. Shaw.png (187.01 KiB) Viewed 630 times

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