Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very scarce original early Indian Wars period U.S. rifle sling of the “spliced” pattern associated with the Model 1868 Trapdoor Springfield and earlier Allin Conversion rifles. The sling was assembled by sewing together two shorter Civil War rifle musket slings, producing the additional length required for the later breech loading rifles.

Following the Civil War, Springfield Armory used Erskine S. Allin’s hinged breechblock system to convert existing muzzle loading rifle muskets into breech loading cartridge arms. The Model 1868 represented a further development of the system and was manufactured as a new rifle, although some previously produced components were used. These rifles were generally issued with longer leather slings, and surviving Civil War rifle musket slings were sometimes joined together to create the required length.

This is one of those original spliced slings. The machine stitched junction between the two sections remains visible, although the stitching is now heavily worn, weakened, and partially missing. The leather shows extensive age and service wear, with serious deterioration in several areas. Its surface is dry and friable, with leather residue coming away when handled.

The sliding leather keeper remains present, as does the fixed keeper at the end. Considering the weakened stitching and deteriorated leather, this sling should be treated as a display artifact and is not recommended for carrying or supporting a rifle.

A particularly interesting early Trapdoor accessory that illustrates the practical reuse of surplus Civil War equipment during the transition from muzzle loading rifle muskets to the Allin system of breech loading U.S. service rifles.