I've used similar slings before. Essentially these work like any other single point target sling: the cuff buckles around your upper arm, and the strap loops around the inside of your arm/wrist. Adjust the length of the strap until the rifle and body are steady, but not over tight.

Leave the arm cuff slightly loose, enough that you can fit three fingers in at the front. These old double pulley cuffs tend to pull together up under tension, even if there is a keeper behind the buckle. If the cuffis buckled tight before slinging up, you'll create a tourniquet.

I don't think there's a pad missing, or rather some shooters might add one, but not all. Remember it was meant to be worn over a heavy padded leather glove, cushioning the left wrist. Modern shooting gloves have less wrist padding, but would be worn with a much stiffer jacket.

 

Thanks Tim, I've played around with it and this is going to seem like a dumb question but for lack of better terms the "flap" side of the cuff, opposite the buckle, it seems most effective when that is towards my shoulder and the buckle towards the hand, this is also with the buckle on the outside of my arm. Does that seem right if my description makes sense?

 

I think I understand.

Normally I'd set up a sling so it pulls evenly: the force is against the meat of the triceps rather than the side of the arm. The brachial artery and nerve runs down the inside of the upper arm, and pressure there is not comfortable. Some shooters like the sling biased to the outside of the arm to avoid pressure on the inner arm, although this can see the sling slip round (and effectively getting looser) without good non-slip material on the arm and cuff.

I'd expect many shooters to place the cuff with the buckle on the inside of their arm so they can adjust it with the trigger hand. The shape of the cuff might suit having the buckle on the outside though.

 

Always great info from Tim.

One point is that the sling is only used in the sitting/kneeing and prone positions, not in standing.

Here are a couple photos showing the sling used in prone position. This sling is obviously different, but the principle is the same.

For a right hand shooter, the cuff is on the upper portion of your left arm.

The long strap travels across the back of your left hand and attaches to the front sling loop of the rifle. The loop is typically part of the handstop, but not always.

While the bones of your forearm are supporting the rifle, the sling supports the forearm. When installed properly and mastered, this can be as solid as shooting off a bench.

Art

 

Thanks for the help, much appreciated. I figured it out yesterday, took a little trial and error with what end of the cuff to insert my arm. Works pretty well, a lot more convenient than a traditional 1907 sling especially when switching between rifles but I can't seem to get it as secure as a traditional sling, makes sense since the cuff is designed to be used with a coat.

 

Thanks for the help, much appreciated. I figured it out yesterday... but I can't seem to get it as secure as a traditional sling, makes sense since the cuff is designed to be used with a coat.

Do you mean the cuff is slipping down your arm? That's not uncommon. Shooting jackets invariably have a hook, buckled loop, or a button on the sleeve to hold up the sling*. So slings intended to be used with a jacket may not tighten up around the arm so much. As I mentioned above some slings turn into a tourniquet by design, and shooters insist on tighening the cuff, and pay the consequences.

*Of course the jacket itself has to fit properly so it isn't dragged over the shoulder either.

 

There are many different set up today for Sling shooters with a coat.
As note your set up has a couple changes from the original Freeland.

I am sure the Guy that had it was happy.

 

I am sure the Guy that had it was happy.

Speaking of, longshot but anyone recognize the name?

 

If you want to go down the Rabbit Hole of Prone Shooting with the Cuff and Sling $$$ will be needed?
Then if your thinking Iron Sights? More $$ .

I have a few .22 Rifle with $$) in then one is a 52C.
I use a good front Rest ( already had it ) and a rear Bag .
Bench or Prone a gas ! With a scopes I will add .

 

If you want to go down the Rabbit Hole of Prone Shooting with the Cuff and Sling $$$ will be needed?
Then if your thinking Iron Sights? More $$ .

I have to disagree with this statement. Just shooting prone with a sling does not require large outlays of cash. You need a rifle and a sling. A glove and a padded mat make life more comfortable, but neither need to be purpose made and expensive.

If the OP, or anyone, wants to compete and win at a high level, then yes a certain level of kit is needed. However, a deep dive into almost any sport/hobby where a technological edge is possible is costly. This phenomenon is not unique to prone shooting. That said, taking up prone smallbore, rather than simply shooting prone, needn't break the bank. Most items can be bought cheaply or used over a period of time if the goal is to participate.

 

This msy help.