I just picked up a Marlin 336 RC in 30-30. It was made in 1968 according to the serial # and is my first Marlin with a straight Grip and a saddle ring. I love the different feel the gun has with it's straight grip and can't wait to get to shoot it, but I was wondering how the saddle ring was intended to be used. I am guessing a piece of raw hide looped through it and the over the saddle horn to hang the gun from the saddle?? I'll never have a need for it but was just wondering how it's intended to be used?:confused:

It is used exactly as you guessed yes, but not only do you have to do that but you have to put the rifle into a rifle scabbard to protect the gun. The saddle ring is just so the rifle does not fall out of the scabbard. Hope this helps!

From what I remember the saddle ring carbines was originally tied off on a belt or harness that the rider wore, so when/if the rider was thrown from his horse the rifle came out of the scabbard and he was not without his rifle. Dave

I am a student of antique arms. The saddle ring was used to tie the rifle to the saddle before they had scabbards. Usually they simply tied a large loop of rawhide around the saddle ring and then simply draped it over the saddlehorn. The saddle ring on your rifle is just decoration. Most saddlerings on old guns were removed as they rattled. On military rifles, the saddlering was used in a far different manner. The mounted soldier had a large "belt" draped over his shoulder with a clip that attached to his rifles saddlering. During a calvary charge he could shoulder his carbine,empty it and just drop it and it would dangle by his side and then he could use his saber or pistol.

Thanks guys! That all makes sense.
Mike

FYI

http://www.castbullet.com/makeit/photos/swivel1.jpg

http://www.castbullet.com/makeit/photos/swivel2.jpg

A fella nama "Junior" makes these outfits.

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Yup, the saddle ring the first of the single point slings. We've come full circle again as troops are using single point slings on M4 in Iraq and Afganistan. Their horses are armored vechicles.

http://store.thewilderness.com/images/singlepoint.jpg

CD