Lee-Enfield No. 5 Mk. I "Jungle Carbine"

[Peter Laidler]

Same reason as they put the lightweight (?) Mk3 Bren sling loop that side.

[bigduke6]

yes... and actually Im looking for the right one with its frog

IMA have the sabbard in stock (Or they did) think its advertised as a No 9 scabbard.....

[blurrededge]

I'd always thought the sling and bar/loop on the butt plate would get all rucked up round your cheek if it was on the opposite side to the bolt handle, 'specialy with the stiff webbing sling.. Perhaps a left handed No5 shooter can confirm.

[browningautorifle]

I don't know anyone that shoots with their sling at parade tightness...it's always loose so it's down.

[villiers]

The sling on a No. 5 can be quite handy if it´s fixed to a swivel in front of the mag.
Having it on the same side as the bolt handle can only have been an officiall requirement. Staff officers don´t have to carry a rifle. But it keeps the men upright and stops them from slouching.

[browningautorifle]

The sling was put on the right side because a shooter was considered to be right handed. I think you can find posts fro Peter Laidler emphasizing this... When the sling is loosened off, the bolt handle doesn't bother you.

[RobD]

The Boer Mauser carbine was issue with the sling on the left. In this arrangement, it is quite easy to bruise your cheek when shooting. But unlike the Jungle Carbine, both the front and rear sling attachments can be taken off and switched, putting the sling on the right. If you look at photos taken of burghers in the field, you'll see that most carbines had their slings moved over to the right.

[Surpmil]

The Boer Mauser carbine was issue with the sling on the left. In this arrangement, it is quite easy to bruise your cheek when shooting....

Amazing what experts can design.