Just an additional thought, on a military musket or fusil, smoothbore fowling piece, trade gun, basically any smoothbore long arm; a fabric, leather, or metal for that matter, band around the barrel and forestock would matter little since the were generally pointed relatively instinctively rather than properly aimed. On a rifle where one actually uses sights except in a quick snap shot on moving game it would be a different story
I could see this with a military musket as the basic order of the day was simply put as much lead in the direction of the enemy as quick as possible .
However past that a sling that went around a barrel would complicate the sights even more on a smooth bore .
In reality I would have to say that its probably very close to 50/50 on smoothies with rear sights . Signs of having a rear sight or at least some kind of rear reference .
This combined with normally very low front sight , would complicate things even more concerning a sling then it would on a rifle .
Military wise . Sometimes things are more a mater of tradition then of necessity use ..
While the more modern types slings used by today’s military ., can actually be useful and desirable . It was not that long ago that the sling , while provided , was for the most part , from my military experience removed .
In fact remove very quickly . Not to see the light of day again until such time as a turn in of the weapon was required .
When it comes to the button attachments . I often wonder if this really wasn’t more of a type of quick release then a permanent attachment. If so then the sling could very well have been of the type the wrapped around the barrel . Thus also being able to be removed very quickly if the need arose .
Now this of course would not be true if we accept that the button was screwed through the leather of the sling .
However if the actual slings were made to have a more solid leather end . The end also having a hole with a slot . The sling would still stay secure in the carry and be quickly removable.
So it could be that these buttons we see have been simply screwed in deeper , to the point of resting flush with the wood , so as to keep the button from so easily being snagged .
It could also be that the hole in the TG of many pieces are very much this same thing . Just an option . IE if a person was on a long trip in a relatively safe area where the gun would not need to be at the constant ready . A sling could be attached .
Now if that attachment was considered part of the sling and not part of the rifle . Like we do today . Then it would explain why there is so few examples with mounted swivels .
Basically when the sling was removed . The swivel stayed with the sling
Again , im just talking here and have no real period evidence
