what is the ring for?

hey, the only dumb question is the one you don't ask.
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thx,
goo
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http://pictures.auctionarms.com/8289...thumbnail1.jpg

Sometimes as much as i know, they hooked the rifle beside their saddles.

Gunner

On single shot Springfields, and Spencers they wore a leather strap on their body (much like a modern single point sling) which the ring clipped to to keep the rifle from being lost while mounted (from dropping, etc).

Later rifles, as noted, sometimes clipped them to the saddle.

Or tied them to a saddle scabbard