Thread: Front trigger guard screw sling swivel thingamajig
Retrieved: 06/02/2014

Just picked up some random bits and bobs from a fellow collector. I scored a sling swivel that replaces the Lee Enfield front trigger guard screw. It seems to fit well on Long Lee Enfield and SMLE.

Bonus for me is that I just so happen to have a have a Long Lee with which I have been playing, setting it up for some range use. I like to shoot from the prone position and use a sling.

It has a mint bore and tight headspace. I have paid careful attention to the bedding of the action and have mounted one of Parkers 9G rear aparture sights. The project is getting close to completion, so this swivel came along at the right time.

The sling loop is the same size and shape as yer regular Martini/Long Lee butt swivel. There are no markings on it which makes me think that this was probably a commercial item available for civilian purchase.

I have another rifle with the common Parker Hale front trigger guard screw mounting target sling swivel with the triangular loop shape, which I believe was introduced in the 1930s.

The swivel I just got obviously predates it, but I am wondering by how much.

Has anybody seen a trigger guard swivel like this before? Can anyone peg it with a date? Was it originaly intended for use with a target sling?

It just seems to me that this one I found is configured to be more of a carry sling swivel than a target swivel.

Unlike the triangular loop style swivel which is free to rotate on its mounting screw, this one doesn't rotate on the screw, so once it is tightened it stays put in whatever position. As of yet, I am not too sure as to how I will set it up for my sling.

Sunray
01-12-2010

It's a single point swivel used for target shooting. Post war DCRA shooting, I think. Goes on No.4's and No.7's.