WWI Belgian Cavalry Carbine Sling

[Dan Morton]

Anybody got any photos of a Belgian WWI cavalry carbine sling? I'm looking for the one that mounted the carbine beside the cavalryman's leg.

For my fellow WWI nuts, I'm looking at the well-published photo of a Belgian Chasseurs de Cheval standing with his boots either side of the pommel [Is that what it's called?] of the saddle on his horse, field glasses in one hand and holding on to a road sign with the other. If you haven't seen it, e-mail me and I'll send you the photo.

I know the Belgian cavalry used a leather rifle and carbine sling which held the weapon on the man's back pretty tightly. But the one in the photo is different with the carbine fitting into a metal/leather/?? U-shaped thing just below his waist.

Help!

 

[THANOS]

BELGIAN GAITORS...

 

[THANOS]

GAITORS...

 

[Johan]

Hello Dan,

I thought the Belgian cavalry in 1914 used a black leather carbine "sling", which was strapped pretty tight on the back, with two belts, one over the left shoulder, aother under the right armpit which looped around the main belt; now, as you can imagine there's no way that the "sling" was really permanently attached to the Carabine Mauser allegee Mod. 1889 !! That would have caused casualties

In fact, on the back of the trooper, there was simply a wide black leather patch, with a hook on the lower end that supported the stock of the carbine, and a leather strap with buckle which formed a loop at the top end which held the barrel in place.

I believe this "system" - a typically Belgian system if you ask me :lol: - was designed so, that cleverly allowed mounted troopers to quickly grab their carbine and fire a few rounds even before they would have halted their horses. ... However, the best known action of Belgian Cavalry was at Haelen, where they fought ... dismounted
(Yep, they won ... against massive attacks by German cuirassiers and dragoons)

I hope this helps, I'll see if I can find more info; but ill. of Belgian uniforms are quite rare.

All the best,

Johan

 

[Dan Morton]

Johan - Thanks for your reply! Yes, I did know about the two belt carbine mounting that held the weapon in the middle of the trooper's back. Thanks to Thanos, I believe I understand how the carbine was alternately "mounted" near the trooper's belt at hip level. Very simple - a metal clip with a box-shaped metal ring on one end was attached to the belt and the carbine was dropped into the metal ring. Apparently the ring was wide enough to allow the carbine to fall down almost to the stock. I'm thinking the trooper probably rode with the carbine clipped reliably into the back mount and would only move it to the hip position when stopped and he wanted the weapon available quickly. Seems to make sense.

You may have noticed that Thanos also posted some pics of gaiters. And I sincerely appreciate him taking the time and effort to do so. But I think this is a misunderstanding. The gaiters are related to a different question I asked him and several other pFers. I'm also looking for pics of the canvas gaiters worn by British marines and seamen of the Royal Naval Division in Antwerp in 1914. After Antwerp they changed to typical putties and boots. All the images of the gaiters I have seen appear to show a left and right outside vertical opening with either laces or buttons or some combination of them. They also have a single buckle and strap at the top left and right outside. Unfortunately I haven't got a pic showing how they fastened together. What I need is a clear side view of the gaiter. I've contacted the Imperial War Museum and the Royal Naval Museum curators asking about this and, so far, nothing helpful. OK - I freely admit - I am obsessing about this. But I'd like to be accurate if possible.

All the best,
Dan