No5 MkI Sling Arrangement

[mr.tickle]

Good Morning Everyone,

Regarding the Jungle Carbine, what the reasoning behind its sling setup (one swivel on the bottom, one on the right side)?

Why didn't they do two swivels on the bottom (as on prior Enfields)? Or both on the side? Also why was it placed on the right side instead of the left? It seems most other Carbines (K98, M39, K31, Carcano) put it on the left so the bolt wouldn't dig into the soldier's back.

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[Peter Laidler]

There's not enough meat at the bottom to hold the swivel screws securely. Like we drive on the left, we put the swivel on the right. Just like those foreigners in Europe did the opposite!

[mr.tickle]

Gotcha, why then wasn't the front swivel put on the right side instead of the underside?

[Peter Laidler]

I would hazard a guess and say that in our infinite wisdom, Britain decided that it'd be more comfortable to carry in the slung position like that. Have you ever had to carry one for hours at a time, days on end? Guess who has? And I have to say that they aren't actually uncomfortable to carry slung that way because the belt had a small loop that would keep the butt in place while used the machette or panga or gollock - whatever you wanted to call it!

[mr.tickle]

Thank you sir! I was curious since you don't see that arrangement on other milsurps. Knew this would be the place to ask!

[browningautorifle]

If you put the sling on the other side, since it's so large and coarse...it would be right under one's face. Even if loose, it would get into you when shooting I think. I don't think they just flipped a coin.