Lug for a sling swivel question

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Hello everyone.  I have always used four lugs on rifle barrels.  I am building one now that I will use a sling swivel on.  Here is my question, does the lug for the swivel count as one of the four lugs to hold the barrel on? Or do I need to install four in addition to the lug for the sling swivel?

Thanks
Cory Joe Stewart

[hanshi]

I'm certainly no authority on such things but I put a lug on my smoothbore specifically for the swivel.  The gun only had three lugs to begin with so installing a 4th lug gave me the chance to locate it so that the swivel wouldn't damage the stock - when it swiveled back and forth it only contacted a rod ferrule.

[David Rase]

When I have added a sling swivel I always attached it to a separate lug.  My sling lugs are always wider then a barrel tenon and they are placed in front of a ramrod pipe so when the the rifle is standing upright, the swivel does not interfere with installation of the ramrod.
David
   

[Cory Joe Stewart]

Ok. Didnt think about the idea of placing it near a ramrod. Thanks!

Cory Joe Stewart

[Robby]

I do the same as Dave, but if it coincidently ends up where a barrel pin would be located you could just make the swivel lug a little longer.
Robby

[smart dog]

Hi,
Here is an example:



dave

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

The Long Land Pattern Brown Bess, or 1st model, used one of the barrel tenons to double as a sling swivel.  But it is a heavy duty affair with a substantial seat soldered to the barrel.  Do do rely on the stock wood to support the swivel.

[smart dog]

Hi Taylor,
That was true only for the early pattern 1730 muskets.  It was abandoned on all later long land pattern Besses. 

dave

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Ah, I built a copy of the 1728, and it called for those special lugs.  I used my old small mill to create the lugs...see may have a couple.

[B.Habermehl]

When I make a lug for sling swivels it is the full width of the barrel flat, shaped like a bridge trestle. This way the swivel axle cannot waggle enough to split the forend if the clearance hole in the stock is generous enough. I size the hole in the lug so the swivel screw is just a free fit with as little wobble as possible. 1/2 inch key stock is usually perfect raw material. BJH