Sling for shoulder guns

A sling for carrying a shoulder operated gun, such as a rifle or shotgun, consists of a strap which may be attached to the rear swivel of a gun, then passed through the front swivel and over one shoulder, then diagonally downwardly across the chest to be attached to a belt at the other side of the body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a harness, or sling, which enables a person, such 
as a hunter, to carry a shoulder operated gun, such as a rifle or shotgun, 
in a position at the back of the body in a vertical position with the 
muzzle pointed upwardly so that the hands and arms are left completely 
free. 
A harness for carrying a gun in such a position is disclosed in U.S. Pat. 
No. 3,098,591. However, the arrangement shown in said patent resembles, in 
effect, a "three-point hitch" and it is difficult to detach the gun from 
its carrying position when the gun is wanted for use. 
Other types of gun-carrying devices are known but the gun is usually placed 
in front of the body in the position known in military drill as "port 
arms." However, even if the gun is placed in a holster from which it can 
be quickly removed and whereby the hands are arms are unencumbered, the 
position of the gun is awkward and, in the case of a hunter moving through 
underbrush or low tree limbs, it can obstruct movement. Slings, or 
holsters, of this latter type are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,869,074 and 
3,664,558. 
Slings, or hosters, in which a gun is loosely carried in a vertical 
position in front of the body are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,543,703 
and 919,301. However, when running, it is essential for the user to keep 
one hand on the gun to hold it in place with the arrangements shown on 
these latter patents. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The applicant has solved these problems by attaching a long strap to a 
rifle, or shotgun, in such a way that the gun is suspended at the user's 
back, behind the shoulder which is used for firing the gun and in an 
upright position at a level at which it is possible for the gun barrel to 
be grasped by the hand which usually holds that part of the gun and swing 
the gun over the shoulder into immediate position for firing. 
The strap attached to the gun preferably extends from a point adjacent the 
butt end and is also attached to the lower side of the gun at another 
point forwardly of the trigger quard and is of sufficient length to extend 
over one shoulder and diagonally downwardly over the chest to connect with 
a waist encircling belt on a location on the opposite side of the body. In 
this way the weight of the gun develops a lateral component of force which 
keeps the belt from slipping off the shoulder, even when the user is 
running. 
The strap, furthermore, performs two other functions; (a) it serves to act 
as a cushion between the forwardly projecting trigger quard and the user's 
back when the gun is carried and (b) it serves as a stabilizing sling for 
the forward arm when the gun is aimed. 
Finally, the strap can be detachably secured to the belt, or the belt may 
be provided with a quick-acting release so that if the gun becomes 
untangled in some object the user can easily free himself immediately.

In the drawing the preferred form of sling is indicated generally by 
numeral 10. It comprises a belt 11, of canvas, leather, or other suitable 
material to encircle the waist of the user the ends of the belt being 
connected together at the front of the body by means of a buckle 12, which 
may be of the length-adjusting type and preferably includes a 
quick-release device to permit the belt to be removed quickly. 
A strap, indicated generally by numeral 13, of leather, or similar 
material, has one end attached to the belt at a location 14 which will be 
disposed at one side or the other of the user's body when the belt is in 
place. In the case of a person who places the butt of a gun against the 
right shoulder when aiming it, the strap 13 will join the belt 11 at the 
left side of the body. Obviously, in the case of a left-handed person, the 
opposite side would be correct. 
As can be seen in FIG. 2, the strap passes diagonally upwardly across the 
chest of the user and over the shoulder on the opposite side of the body 
from where the strap joins the belt and thence downwardly behind that 
shoulder. 
In case the gun, indicated generally by numeral 15, is provided with front 
and rear sling swivels 16 and 17 the depending portion 18 of the strap is 
passed loosely through the front swivel 16 and has its free end attached 
to the rear swivel 17 so that because the swivel 16 is forward of the 
center of gravity, when the gun is carried it will be suspended upright, 
with the muzzle of barrel 19 pointing skyward and the trigger guard 20 
facing forwardly, as seen in FIG. 3. The length of strap 13 should be such 
that when carried in the suspended position a portion of the barrel 19 
projects above the level of the shoulder, for a reason to be explained. 
It should be observed that when the gun is carried in the suspended 
position of FIGS. 1 and 2, the weight of the gun acting on the front 
diagonal portion 21 of the strap will create a laterally inward component 
of force on the shoulder engaging portion 22 of the strap which is 
effective, even when running, to prevent the strap from being displaced 
from the shoulder. In addition, that portion of the strap 18 between the 
swivels acts as a cushion between the forwardly projecting trigger quard 
20 and the back of the user. 
When the gun is to used, it is only necessary for the user to reach 
upwardly and grasp the projecting barrel 19 with the hand that normally 
grips the foward portion of the gun (the left hand, when the gun butt is 
placed against the right shoulder) and pull the gun forwardly with a 
swinging motion, using the shoulder as a fulcrum. At the same time the 
free hand (the right one in this case) is raised directly upwardly to 
grasp the gun at the usual location for aiming and pulling the trigger. 
During these motions, which are entirely natural and require little or no 
practice, the left arm can be inserted behind the strap 13, as shown in 
FIG. 4, whereby the strap now assists in stabilizing the gun while it is 
being aimed. When finished with the gun it can be returned to the carrying 
position by a simple movement of the left arm. There is no fumbling for a 
latch, or a holster pocket. 
As stated above; if the belt bucket 12 includes a quick-release mechanism 
it is possible to immediately disengage one's self if the gun itself 
should accidentally become entangled with an obstruction. In that 
situation, it is only necessary to remove the belt by actuation of the 
quick-release mechanism located in a conveniently accessible position. 
Up to this point no mention has been made of the fact that, while the 
arrangement just described is satisfactory, there is a tendency if the gun 
is carried for a long period of time for the front end of the strap 13 to 
exert an upward pull at point 14 wherein it is connected to the belt 11. 
This tendency can be overcome by the inclusion of a downwardly directed 
hook 25 which may be attached to the rear end of strap 13 in a position to 
be hooked on to the wearer's belt to support at least a portion of the 
weight of the gun at that point, so as to offset the upward pull at point 
14 on belt 11. In the alternative, downwardly facing hook 26 may be 
secured to the under side of the butt of the gun, as shown in FIG. 5. 
Other modifications and improvements will be apparent to those skilled in 
the art which would come within the scope of the annexed claims.